Odisha Joins Ayushman Bharat, Marks Healthcare Milestone

New Delhi, January 13, 2025 – Odisha has become the 34th state/Union Territory to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), marking a historic milestone in India’s journey towards universal healthcare. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Monday between the National Health Authority (NHA) and Odisha’s Health and Family Welfare Department at Vigyan Bhavan, in the presence of Union Health Minister JP Nadda and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

Calling it a “historic moment,” Nadda emphasized the transformative impact of the scheme on Odisha’s healthcare landscape. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a post on X, congratulated the people of Odisha and highlighted the importance of the scheme for the state’s women and elderly. “This scheme will ensure the highest-quality healthcare at affordable rates. It will particularly benefit the Nari Shakti and the elderly of Odisha,” PM Modi said.

The Ayushman Bharat scheme, which provides medical coverage of Rs. 5 lakh for men and Rs. 10 lakh for women annually, will now extend its benefits to over 1.3 crore families in Odisha. The integration with the state’s Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana expands access to over 29,000 hospitals across the country, compared to the 900 hospitals previously available under state programs.

Chief Minister Majhi expressed his gratitude and noted that this initiative would significantly enhance healthcare accessibility for Odisha’s rural population. “This integration is a crucial step towards ensuring equitable healthcare for all,” he said.

The move has been widely hailed as a significant step in addressing Odisha’s healthcare challenges and improving the quality of life for its residents.