Bhubaneswar: Union Health Minister JP Nadda will visit Odisha on Friday to launch the expanded Ayushman Bharat health scheme, along with two other major health insurance programmes aimed at covering nearly 3.5 crore people in the state.
The launch event will take place in Cuttack, where Nadda will be joined by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Alongside Ayushman Bharat, the Centre will also roll out the Ayushman Vayo-Vandana Yojana, while the state government will launch its own Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY).
Schemes Aim to Cover 1.03 Crore Families
Officials said the combined schemes are expected to benefit around 1.03 crore families. These families will be eligible for free and cashless treatment at 29,000 empanelled hospitals across India, compared to just 900 earlier.
Under the Vayo-Vandana Yojana, all citizens aged 70 and above will be covered, regardless of income. Each family will receive health insurance worth Rs 5 lakh, with an extra Rs 5 lakh for female members. If a family includes a person above 70, total coverage will go up to Rs 15 lakh.
The Odisha cabinet has approved a five-year budget of Rs 27,019 crore to implement the Ayushman Bharat and GJAY schemes. Senior state ministers will oversee the launch across 12 districts to ensure smooth implementation.
Nadda’s Visit Includes Hospital Inauguration and Training Event
During his visit, Nadda will also inaugurate the new building of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Pediatrics in Cuttack. He is also scheduled to visit AIIMS Bhubaneswar and CIPET. On April 12, the minister will open a three-day training programme for BJP MPs and MLAs in Puri.
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