In a historic stride toward healthcare reform, the Government of Odisha has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Health Authority (NHA) to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY). With this agreement, Odisha becomes the 34th state to adopt India’s flagship health assurance scheme, expanding healthcare access to millions.
This integration will merge Odisha’s Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) with AB PM-JAY, offering ₹5 lakh annual health coverage per family, plus an additional ₹5 lakh for female family members. This combined effort is set to benefit around 1.03 crore families across Odisha, ensuring broader and more inclusive healthcare protection.
Applauding this major milestone, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the people of Odisha, reaffirming the government’s commitment to delivering accessible and quality healthcare to every citizen. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda also highlighted that AB PM-JAY is the world’s largest health coverage scheme, covering 45% of India’s population and providing access to 2,000 medical procedures across 27 specialties.
Odisha’s Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed optimism, stating that citizens can now access cashless treatment at more than 29,000 empaneled hospitals nationwide, significantly strengthening Odisha’s healthcare system.
This transformative partnership marks a crucial leap toward universal health coverage in India, ensuring equitable, affordable, and quality healthcare for millions.
