JP Nadda to Launch Ayushman Bharat Yojana in Odisha on April 11

Bhubaneswar: Union Health & Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda is set to visit Odisha next week to roll out the Ayushman Bharat Yojana in the state, Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal announced on Friday.

Nadda, who also serves as the BJP’s national president, will arrive in Bhubaneswar on the night of April 10. The following day, on April 11, he will officially launch the scheme. Later in the day, he is scheduled to attend a training program with the party’s MLAs and MPs.

Meanwhile, the Odisha government has initiated the process of integrating the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) with the state’s Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY), formerly known as Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY). The merger will introduce a unified health card for beneficiaries, extending coverage to around 3.52 crore people from 1.08 crore families.

Under the eligibility criteria, 67.8 lakh families will be covered under AB-PMJAY, while the Odisha government will extend healthcare benefits to the remaining families through GJAY. The integration process is in its final stages, with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) tasked with updating the software infrastructure to ensure seamless billing and claims processing.

As per the finalized plan, the state government will bear the cost for treatments and beneficiaries not covered under AB-PMJAY. Unlike the previously implemented BSKY, now rebranded as GJAY, every individual covered under the unified scheme will receive a separate health card. Additionally, senior citizens above 70 years will be issued a distinct card under the Ayushman Vay Vandana scheme.

Previously, families received separate health cards for men and women. However, under the new system, each of the 3.52 crore beneficiaries will get an individual health card.

To prevent disruptions in healthcare services, health officials have assured that beneficiaries will continue to receive medical benefits during the transition. Since Aadhaar numbers are linked to the scheme, individuals can avail of medical services at empanelled hospitals by presenting their Aadhaar card, even before receiving their new health cards.