Odisha has become the 34th State and Union Territory to implement Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana- AB PM-JAY. Under this scheme health cover of five lakh rupees per year is provided for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization of every family. National Health Authority and the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Odisha signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi today in this regard. Speaking on the occasion, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said that over eight crore hospitalization have been recorded under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme. He also said that hospitalization has significantly increased in far-flung and remote areas of the country due to access to health facilities aided by the scheme. He added that 45 percent of India’s population is covered under the scheme. The Minister also added that Political ego should not come in the way of states in choosing people-centric schemes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today congratulated the people of Odisha over the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana-AB PM-JAY. In a social media post, Mr Modi said that the scheme will ensure the highest-quality healthcare at affordable rates. He noted that the scheme will particularly benefit the Nari Shakti and the elderly of Odisha. The state today became the 34th State and Union Territory to implement the scheme.