In a significant move ahead of the 2024 elections, the Naveen Patnaik government in Odisha has expanded its flagship healthcare scheme, Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana. The scheme, which provides free health coverage, will now be extended to all rural families in the state, except for those who pay income tax or are regular government employees.
Launched in August 2018, the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana currently covers 96 lakh families holding ration cards. The new expansion will include an additional 14 lakh families who do not possess ration cards. This means that a total of 1.1 crore beneficiaries, equivalent to one-fourth of Odisha’s population of 4.8 crore, will be covered under the scheme.
The state government’s initiative aims to ensure access to quality healthcare for all residents. By expanding the coverage of the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, more families will benefit from essential medical services without incurring any financial burden. This move demonstrates the government’s commitment to prioritize the healthcare needs of its citizens, particularly those in rural areas.
The Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana has been lauded for its success in providing free treatment, surgeries, diagnostics, and medicines to eligible families. With the inclusion of an additional 14 lakh families, the scheme’s impact will be further amplified, marking a significant step towards achieving universal healthcare in Odisha.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his satisfaction with the scheme’s progress and emphasized the government’s focus on ensuring the welfare of the people. He stated, Our government is committed to providing accessible healthcare services to every household in Odisha. Expanding the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana is a step towards achieving our goal of universal health coverage. We aim to create a healthier Odisha by prioritizing the well-being of our citizens.
This expansion of the healthcare scheme comes at a crucial time when the world is grappling with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The inclusion of more families under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana will not only alleviate the financial burden of medical expenses but also ensure that individuals can receive necessary treatment for various illnesses, including potential COVID-19 infections.
The move has received positive feedback from healthcare professionals and experts who recognize the significance of comprehensive healthcare coverage. Dr. Ramesh Kumar, a renowned public health specialist, commended the government’s commitment to expanding the scheme. He stated, Healthcare should be a fundamental right for every individual. By extending the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana to cover more families, the government is taking a commendable step towards achieving universal healthcare. This will have a lasting positive impact on the health and well-being of the people of Odisha.
As the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana continues to reach more households in Odisha, it is anticipated that the state’s healthcare system will witness significant improvements in terms of accessibility and affordability. The expansion of the scheme highlights the government’s dedication to ensuring that no citizen is deprived of medical attention due to financial constraints.
With this latest move, the Naveen Patnaik government is sending a strong message of its commitment to the welfare and well-being of the people of Odisha. By expanding the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, the government is taking a crucial step towards achieving its vision of a healthier and prosperous state for all.
