Ayushman Bharat: Bhubaneswar, (Reporterspen), Dec 19: A central team has arrived in Bhubaneswar to finalize the modalities for integrating the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) with the state-funded Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY), as announced by Health and Family Welfare Secretary Aswathy S on Thursday. This move is part of a broader effort to enhance healthcare accessibility in Odisha.
The three-member team, led by LS Changsan, the CEO of the National Health Authority (NHA), conducted discussions with Aswathy, NHM Mission Director Dr. Brundha D, and other senior officials to address the challenges associated with the seamless merger of the two healthcare schemes. The team also met with Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja and Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling during their visit.
The GJAY, previously known as the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), provides annual cashless treatment of up to ₹5 lakh per family, with an additional ₹5 lakh for women beneficiaries. I
ntroduced in 2018 by the previous BJD government amid disagreements over eligibility criteria, the integration of GJAY with AB-PMJAY is a critical step toward improving healthcare coverage in the state. The Odisha government is preparing to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the implementation of the central scheme, which will facilitate improved healthcare services through a unified health card system for beneficiaries.
