New Delhi: Odisha has become the 34th state to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Health Authority (NHA) of the Union Ministry of Health and the Odisha Department of Health and Family Welfare. The agreement, formalized at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi, marks a historic milestone in Odisha’s healthcare journey.
The MoU was signed by LS Changsan, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and CEO of the NHA, and Aswathy S, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Odisha’s Health and Family Welfare Department. The ceremony was presided over by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and attended by a distinguished panel, including Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Jual Oram, and Ashwini Vaishnaw, as well as other senior officials.
The AB PM-JAY will converge with Odisha’s existing Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) to provide comprehensive healthcare coverage. Under the scheme, families will receive an annual coverage of ₹5 lakh, with an additional ₹5 lakh allocated for women. This initiative will benefit approximately 1.03 crore families in Odisha, with 67.8 lakh families supported by the Union Government.
JP Nadda lauded the scheme as the world’s largest health coverage initiative, noting its rapid implementation and extensive reach. He highlighted that AB PM-JAY has facilitated over 8.19 crore hospital admissions nationwide, with ₹1.13 lakh crore spent on providing affordable healthcare.
“This day is historic for Odisha,” said Nadda. “The scheme’s digital framework has increased access to healthcare, even in remote areas, improving health outcomes and early diagnoses, particularly for diseases like cancer.” He cited a Lancet study showing a 33% rise in cancer care access through AB PM-JAY and emphasized its role in empowering marginalized communities.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed optimism about the scheme’s transformative impact, noting that Odisha’s citizens would now have access to cashless treatment in over 29,000 empaneled hospitals nationwide. He estimated that the converged schemes would benefit nearly 4.5 crore people, covering 86% of the state’s population.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan hailed the MoU as a new chapter in Odisha’s healthcare development, emphasizing its potential to improve the state health index. Ashwini Vaishnaw described the initiative as a progressive step towards achieving a “Viksit Bharat” and “Utkarsh Odisha,” while Jual Oram stressed its benefits for tribal, underprivileged, and migrant populations.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo underscored the scheme’s importance in addressing healthcare inequities, bridging gaps between urban and rural areas.
Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, Odisha’s Health and Family Welfare Minister, stated that the integration of AB PM-JAY with GJAY would enhance healthcare accessibility for Odisha’s residents and migrant workers across the country. The scheme covers nearly 2,000 medical procedures, including complex surgeries like bypasses and knee replacements, under 27 specialties.
With the convergence of AB PM-JAY and GJAY, Odisha is set to usher in a new era of healthcare, empowering millions with affordable, quality medical services. Senior officials, including Punya Salila Srivastava, Union Health Secretary, and Manoj Ahuja, Odisha Chief Secretary, attended the event, underscoring the significance of this healthcare milestone.