Odisha to Invest INR3,388 Cr through Ama Hospital Scheme for Strengthening Public Health System

This initiative will be implemented across all 1858 facilities in the State including DHH, SDH, CHC / UCHC PHC /UPHC level hospitals in a phased manner during a period of five years.

The Odisha government has planned to invest INR3,388 Cr over the next five years to strengthen the public health system in the State under a new scheme called “Ama Hospital.”

The Ama Hospital Scheme is approved under the 5T (Team work, Technology, Transparency, Time and Transformation) initiative which aims to make healthcare more patient-centric.

This programme puts more emphasis on investing in interventions, offering ease of living for the patients and their family members who visit the public health facilities.

Reportedly, a whopping INR3388.73 Cr has been provisioned for a period of five years from 2023-24 to 2027-28 under the Ama Hospital Scheme.

Further, this initiative will be implemented across all 1858 facilities in the State including DHH, SDH, CHC/CHC PHC /UPHC level hospitals in a phased manner during a period of five years.

Initially, around 149 public health facilities will be targeted under this initiative to strengthen its infrastructure and patient care.

The major components include improved patient waiting area with all basic patient amenities, help desk with maps for enhanced patient support in terms of guiding patients and attendants to access the services.

Further, more drug distribution counters for quick dispensing of drugs, hygienic toilet facilities for better patient experience, and paved internal roads with sheds for quick links within various departments, are also included in the scheme.

Additionally, attendant rest shed for stay at the facility during hospitalisation of patients, uniform branding, signages and prototypes within the building & campus for easy navigation within the facility, are among others on which the funds will be utilised.

Other components include digital display boards for improved public awareness, regulation of vehicle movement and provision of parking shed, queue management and patient calling system to reduce overcrowding in service areas,

While online registration system for better patient management, laboratory reports on the phone to avoid multiple visits to hospitals, mission shakti cafe within the hospital premises for easy access to refreshment requirements, aahaar kendras for providing quality food at a subsidised rate and lastly, uniform entrance gates for better visibility will be set up as a part of Ama Hospital Scheme.

In another such instance, the Odisha Government procured 70 ambulances for smooth patient care and transportation. These newly introduced ambulances will serve multiple purposes, including the transportation of patients receiving treatment through the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), transfer of patients to private hospitals, and deployment for use in correctional facilities, for VIPs, and at special events.