Odisha Rolls Out Universal Health Coverage: Over 3.5 Crore Residents to Benefit Under Ayushman Bharat and Gopabandhu Schemes

Cuttack: Odisha today joined other states offering universal health coverage, as Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched co-branded health cards under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana. The event, held in Cuttack, also marked the formal launch of the Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana, aimed at extending healthcare benefits to all citizens aged 70 and above.

Speaking to a packed gathering, Nadda called the moment “historic for Odisha,” announcing that nearly 1.3 crore families—around 3.52 crore people—will now be covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme in the state. With this, Odisha’s citizens will gain access to free, cashless treatment across a wide network of hospitals both within and outside the state.

The Union Minister informed that over 8.19 crore beneficiaries across India have received treatment under the scheme so far, with the government spending ₹1.26 lakh crore to make healthcare accessible to the country’s most vulnerable.

Nadda noted the significant reduction in out-of-pocket expenses, which have dropped from 62% to 38% nationwide thanks to Ayushman Bharat. He also highlighted Odisha’s active participation in national health missions, including the 100-day TB Intensified Elimination Programme, under which the state identified 16,500 new TB cases. Further, under PM-ABHIM, the central government has sanctioned ₹1,411 crore to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in the state.

In a major social welfare boost, the newly launched Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana will offer health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above, regardless of their income or background. Nadda emphasized that Odisha is among the first states to implement this scheme, showcasing its commitment to elderly care.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi called the rollout a “new chapter in Odisha’s development journey.” He affirmed that all Odia citizens, including those residing outside the state, will now have access to free, quality medical treatment under these schemes. “Ayushman Bharat has become a lifeline for the poor,” he said, crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for transforming India’s healthcare landscape.

The Chief Minister also shared the state’s efforts to bolster its healthcare workforce, revealing that over 4,000 doctors have been appointed and 5,000 more are in the recruitment pipeline. The government’s long-term goal, he stated, is to establish a medical college in every district.

Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram hailed the program as a game-changer for tribal communities in Odisha, while Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling announced that 3.5 crore people will be issued health insurance cards, and 23 lakh senior citizens will benefit under the Vaya Vandana Yojana.