New Delhi: Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized Odisha’s growing role in semiconductor education while announcing transformative healthcare initiatives at the MoU signing ceremony between the National Health Authority (NHA) of the Government of India and the Department of Health and Family Welfare (DoH&FW), Government of Odisha, for the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY).
Vaishnaw stated, “From Odisha, four universities have been providing semiconductor education programs. The semiconductor education is being imparted in a very beautiful manner there.”
“Today, I request the Honorable Chief Minister of Odisha and the Honorable Minister of Education to consider adding five more educational institutions to the semiconductor education program. If both of you, the esteemed leaders, recommend these five institutions, we can include them in the semiconductor education program,” he added.
Vaishnaw also outlined a visionary plan for the state, stating, “After this, the main goal will be to establish a semiconductor unit in Odisha. This will be a dream project for all of us. To achieve this, we all must work together with great enthusiasm and effort. Within the next two to three years, we aim to fulfil this dream.”
It should be noted that Odisha already has an ambitious Semiconductor policy. Last year, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also called for enhanced support from the Centre to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and cutting-edge technology for semiconductor design and manufacturing.
He made this appeal during his first NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting in New Delhi, while stating that “with a growing talent pool of tech professionals, a vibrant startup ecosystem, and an ambitious semiconductor policy, Odisha is poised to become a leading semiconductor hub”.
However, during the recent event Union Minister Vaishnaw highlighted Odisha’s collaboration with the railways, noting that the Chief Minister of Odisha has been very supportive in advancing railway projects.
Additionally, it was highlighted that the Centre has allocated Rs 73,000 crore for ongoing railway projects in Odisha, reflecting a shared commitment to development.
Odisha Becomes 34th State to Implement AB PM-JAY
The event marked a historic milestone as Odisha became the 34th state to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). The MoU was signed between LS Changsan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and CEO of NHA, and Aswathy S, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, DoH&FW, Government of Odisha.
The signing ceremony took place at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi, in the presence of Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and other dignitaries.
The scheme will be implemented in convergence with the existing Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) in Odisha. It provides a health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per annum, with an additional Rs 5 lakh for women members. This integration will benefit approximately 1.03 crore families, with 67.8 lakh families supported by the Union Government.
Today is a historic day for Odisha. The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) is not only the world’s largest health coverage scheme but also the fastest to be implemented since its inception. The scheme is fully digitized and covers approximately 45% of… pic.twitter.com/ZlGGMZa1qI
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) January 13, 2025
Highlighting the importance of the initiative, JP Nadda said, “AB PM-JAY is not only the world’s largest health coverage scheme but also the fastest to be implemented since conception. The scheme is fully digitized and covers approximately 45 per cent of India’s population.”
Nadda elaborated on the scheme’s achievements, stating that since the beginning of this scheme, 8.19 crore hospital admissions have been recorded, with Rs 1.13 lakh crore spent on providing healthcare to marginalized sections of society—this increase in hospital admissions is not due to a rise in diseases but rather due to enhanced accessibility to affordable healthcare.
He also emphasized the significant impact of the scheme in remote and underserved regions, including Naxal-affected districts of Bastar and Bijapur, where hospital admissions have increased by 4.3 per cent.
A Lancet study on Southeast Asia cited by Nadda revealed that the scheme has improved cancer diagnosis rates by 33 per cent and promoted health-seeking behaviour, especially among women.
Transforming Odisha’s Healthcare Landscape
CM Mohan Charan Majhi expressed optimism about the scheme’s impact, stating, “People from our state, who were previously receiving treatment in around 900 empanelled hospitals, will now have access to cashless and quality treatment in over 29,000 government and private empanelled hospitals. The converged schemes will cumulatively benefit around 4.5 crore people of Odisha with the help of a single card.”
He added that the significance of this occasion is immense, as it will transform the health status of 86 per cent of Odisha’s population.
It is an honor for me to attend, on behalf of the people of Odisha, the MoU signing ceremony between the National Health Authority, Government of India, and the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Odisha, for the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya… pic.twitter.com/tAse6FXdpF
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) January 13, 2025
Meanwhile, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan described the MoU as a new beginning for Odisha’s healthcare sector. “This MoU will benefit 4.5 crore families in the state. With the convergence of the two healthcare schemes, the state health index will show an appreciable rise,” he said.
Jual Oram, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs, highlighted the scheme’s potential to address healthcare inequalities, particularly among tribal and underprivileged populations. Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, noted that the integration of GJAY with AB PM-JAY will bridge the healthcare gap between urban and rural areas.
Dr Mukesh Mahaling, Odisha’s Health Minister, emphasized the importance of affordable healthcare access for the state’s residents and migrant workers, while Vaishnaw underscored the initiative’s alignment with the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Utkarsh Odisha.’
The MoU signing is expected to bring a new era of healthcare and technological advancements to Odisha. With ambitious plans for semiconductor education expansion and the establishment of a semiconductor unit, coupled with the implementation of the world’s largest health coverage scheme, Odisha is poised to take significant strides towards becoming a leader in both technology and public welfare.
The collective efforts of state and central leadership, backed by substantial investments, reflect a shared commitment to the holistic development of the state.
