The Business Bytes
THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, APRIL 4, 2025
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Shri JP Nadda, will formally launch the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) in Odisha on April 11, marking a significant milestone in the state’s journey toward universal health coverage. Nadda is scheduled to arrive in Bhubaneswar on April 10 ahead of the official inauguration.
With this launch, Odisha will become the 34th state to roll out the flagship Ayushman Bharat scheme, aimed at providing cashless health insurance to economically vulnerable families. The development follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Health Authority (NHA) and the Odisha Department of Health and Family Welfare on January 13, setting the stage for implementation.
The scheme will run in convergence with the state’s own Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY), thereby offering a broader safety net for citizens. Under the integrated model, beneficiaries will receive health insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per annum, with an additional ₹5 lakh cover specifically for women members. This dual approach is designed to provide robust financial protection against major health expenses.
An estimated 1.03 crore families in Odisha are expected to benefit from this merged scheme. Of these, 67.8 lakh families will receive direct support from the central government under AB PM-JAY, ensuring comprehensive and equitable access to quality healthcare across the state.
The rollout of Ayushman Bharat in Odisha is poised to be a transformative move in bridging healthcare disparities, enhancing access, and reducing the out-of-pocket burden for millions. It underscores the Union Government’s commitment to inclusive development and the vision of “Health for All.”
