Odisha to Implement Ayushman Bharat, Continue Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana

The Odisha government has made substantial budget allocations for health coverage, with INR 3,556 Cr earmarked in this fiscal year’s budget.

In a significant boost to healthcare access in Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the state’s plans to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) alongside continuing its state-specific Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (G-JAY).

Addressing the gathering at the inauguration of the Central Drugs Testing Laboratory at Gothapatna, Majhi confirmed the state’s commitment to expanding healthcare coverage, stating that left-out eligible beneficiaries would soon receive benefits under Ayushman Bharat.

Recently, PM Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated three major health projects in Odisha. These projects included the Central Drugs Testing Laboratory at Gothapatna, a new 50-bed critical care block at the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) in Bargarh, and the foundation stone laying for the Central Research Institute in Yoga and Naturopathy in Jatni, near Bhubaneswar.

Odisha's Health Budget Expanded by 32%

The Odisha government has made substantial budget allocations for health coverage, with INR 3,556 Cr earmarked in this fiscal year’s budget.

Additionally, Majhi highlighted a 32% increase in the Health Department's budget, which now stands at INR 21,000 Cr — 8% of the total state budget.

During the inauguration events, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi outlined plans for the 100-bed Central Research Institute in Yoga and Naturopathy in Jatni, set to cost an estimated INR 100 Cr.

This facility will provide comprehensive care for both in-patient and out-patient needs and will feature a yoga hall, as well as classes in naturopathy for holistic healthcare education.

Health Coverage Expansion to Benefit Millions

Odisha's Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, who attended the laboratory inauguration alongside Majhi, provided details on the impending Ayushman Bharat rollout.

Scheduled to begin by the end of the fiscal year, this federal health coverage initiative aims to cover around 3.5 Cr people out of Odisha’s total population of 4.5 Cr.

The move marks a shift from the policies of the previous BJD administration, which did not adopt the central scheme, instead implementing its own health assurance program, Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), recently rebranded as Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana by the BJP-led government.

Mahaling elaborated on plans to integrate G-JAY with Ayushman Bharat, allowing beneficiaries to carry a single, consolidated health card.

Approximately 950 healthcare units across Odisha have been impaneled under the state scheme; with the integration of Ayushman Bharat, beneficiaries will gain access to nearly 27,000 hospitals nationwide.

The Health Minister also highlighted the state’s efforts to identify beneficiaries aged 70 and above, ensuring they are prioritized under the scheme.

"The integration with Ayushman Bharat and single-card issuance will streamline access to health services, marking a milestone in Odisha’s healthcare journey," Mahaling stated.

With these developments, Odisha is set to broaden its healthcare access, combining state and central resources to support millions of residents and strengthen the health sector infrastructure.

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