AVVY Emerges as Lifeline for Odisha’s Senior Citizens

Bhubaneswar, Sept 3 : The Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana (AVVY), launched by the Odisha Government earlier this year, has quickly become a boon for senior citizens, officials said on Tuesday.

Within just five months of its rollout on April 11, 2025, nearly 5.82 lakh senior citizens from 5.33 lakh families have registered under the scheme, marking a significant step towards universal healthcare for the elderly.

So far, more than 10,146 beneficiaries have availed cashless treatment at empaneled private specialist hospitals both inside and outside the state. Under AVVY, each senior citizen family is entitled to cashless healthcare benefits worth ₹5 lakh annually, with an additional ₹5 lakh earmarked exclusively for the female member of the family.

According to official data, the state government has already disbursed nearly ₹3,960.77 lakh through AVVY cards to cover treatment costs.

Officials said the scheme is gaining popularity rapidly, reaching beyond the state capital to even the remotest villages, and is being hailed as a savior for elderly and retired citizens across Odisha, regardless of their economic background.