In a landmark step towards universal healthcare, Odisha will launch a unified health insurance scheme, Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, today. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda will unveil the scheme at an event in Cuttack this afternoon (around 2.30 pm). Besides the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, the state government’s health scheme, Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, and the newly introduced Ayushman Vayo-Vandana Yojana, aimed at senior citizens, will also be integrated into this initiative.
Government sources said that with this integration, around 352 lakh people from one crore eight lakh families will be covered under the scheme. Beneficiaries will gain access to free, cashless treatment in more than 29 thousand government and private hospitals across the country. The scheme will provide health coverage of 5 lakh rupees per family per annum, with an additional 5 lakh rupees for women members. Under the Ayushman Vayo-Vandana Yojana, all persons aged 70 years and above, regardless of income, will be eligible for coverage. Over 1,400 Primary Healthcare Centres will join the event virtually via video conferencing. District-level programmes will be held simultaneously, with state ministers attending and addressing gatherings across the state.
Official sources said Nadda would also inaugurate the new Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Postgraduate Institute of Pediatrics building during his visit to Cuttack. He will also visit AIIMS Bhubaneswar and the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET).
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