Cuttack, April 11: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday said the Odisha government is committed to strengthen healthcare infrastructure across the state and announced plans to establish medical college in every district.
Speaking at the launch of the Ayushman Bharat scheme at Bali Yatra Ground here, Majhi highlighted that Odisha currently has 12 operational medical colleges.
The state budget for this year includes provisions to set up new colleges in Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Nabarangpur, and Dhenkanal.
"To meet the healthcare needs of our people, we will set up new medical colleges in a phased manner, ensuring that each district in Odisha has one," the Chief Minister stated.
The event also marked the official launch of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana – Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, along with the Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana, by Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda.
CM Majhi described the occasion as “another feather in Odisha’s development journey” and said it opened a new chapter in the state’s history.
"Starting today, beneficiaries in Odisha will have access to free healthcare. Even Odias living outside the state can avail of treatment in hospitals nationwide," he said.
Majhi also shared that over 4,000 doctors have been appointed under the current administration, with another 5,000 appointments in the pipeline to further strengthen the healthcare workforce.
Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Majhi revealed that the scheme would benefit around 1.03 crore families in Odisha.
Each family is eligible for free treatment worth up to ₹5 lakh per year at more than 29,000 empanelled private and government hospitals across the country. Additionally, female members of beneficiary families will receive an extra ₹5 lakh in free healthcare annually, he said.
He also noted that over 23 lakh senior citizens will benefit from the Ayushman Bharat initiative. Moreover, an additional six lakh individuals will receive health cards, expanding the coverage of the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana.
In total, the combined schemes are expected to benefit approximately 3.52 crore people in the state. The implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme will be supported through central assistance, with a 60:40 funding ratio between the Centre and the Odisha government.
