Odisha has become the 34th state to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), marking a milestone in its healthcare journey. The state signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Health Authority (NHA) at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, cementing the integration of the scheme with Odisha’s existing Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY).
The convergence of AB PM-JAY and GJAY will provide healthcare coverage of ₹5 lakh per family annually, with an additional ₹5 lakh for women. The scheme will bring approximately 1.03 crore families under its fold, with 67.8 lakh families funded by the Union Government. This collaboration aims to transform healthcare accessibility for nearly 86% of Odisha’s population.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda hailed the occasion as “a historic day for Odisha,” adding, “AB PM-JAY is not only the world’s largest health coverage scheme but also the fastest implemented since conception.” Highlighting the scheme’s impact, Nadda noted that it is fully digitized and covers nearly 45% of India’s population.
Since its launch, AB PM-JAY has facilitated over 8.19 crore hospital admissions across India, with ₹1.13 lakh crore spent on providing healthcare to underserved communities. Nadda clarified that the increase in hospital admissions signifies improved access to affordable healthcare, rather than a rise in illnesses. “In remote and conflict-affected regions like Bastar and Bijapur, admissions have grown by 4.3%, while Madhya Pradesh has seen a 30-fold increase in hospitalizations due to this scheme,” he said.
Citing a Lancet study, the Minister emphasized the scheme’s transformative role in Southeast Asia, where healthcare access for cancer patients has surged by 33%. “The scheme has revolutionized early cancer diagnoses and promoted health-seeking behavior, especially among women,” he added.
Odisha’s Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mohan Charan Majhi said, “People in our state, who were earlier limited to treatment in 900 empaneled hospitals, now have cashless access to over 29,000 government and private hospitals.” Majhi projected the integrated schemes will collectively benefit around 4.5 crore residents of Odisha. “This transformative step will significantly elevate the health status of our state,” he said, emphasizing that digital healthcare advancements would complement this progress.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan echoed these sentiments, calling the MoU a “new beginning in Odisha’s healthcare story.”
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw described the partnership as a progressive leap towards achieving the vision of a developed India. “The integration of these schemes will enhance Odisha’s healthcare services, reducing disparities and strengthening infrastructure across rural and urban areas,” he stated.
Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, another key speaker, highlighted the government’s focus on addressing health inequalities through this initiative. “This integration is a bold step in bridging the gap between economically weaker sections and quality healthcare, ensuring better equity across Odisha’s districts,” he remarked.
With the convergence, Odisha residents now gain access to nearly 2,000 medical procedures spanning 27 specialties, including bypass surgeries and knee replacements. The MoU is expected to digitally modernize the state’s healthcare system, aligning with the broader goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Utkarsh Odisha.’
