Odisha will not implement Centre’s Ayushman Bharat Yojana

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Thursday said it will not implement Centre’s health insurance scheme Ayushman Bharat Yojana as it has decided to implement its own scheme Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana.

“When we have launched our own scheme, there is no need for associating with Ayushman Bharat Yojana. The Centre has also not yet made it clear the timeline. But, we have already announced the timeline of our implementation and that is with effect from August 15,” said Health Minister Pratap Jena.

He said centre’s Ayushman Bharat was meant for 61 lakh families of Odisha while Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana covers 70 lakh families of the state.

“Our state government is totally ready to bear the total financial burden of the newly-launched Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana,” said Jena.

Notably, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday announced the health assurance scheme that will benefit around 3.5 crore people from over 70 lakh families in the state.

Under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, secondary and tertiary cashless health care assistance will be provided up to Rs 5 lakh per family per annum. The scheme will come into effect from August 15 this year.