Suparjya swain 
Bhubaneswar: In a move towards universal healthcare, Odisha is set to roll out a unified health insurance scheme on April 11, integrating central and state programs to provide comprehensive medical coverage to its residents.
This initiative will mark Odisha as the 34th state to implement the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). The state’s own Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) and the newly introduced Ayushman Vayo-Vandana Yojana, targeting senior citizens aged 70 and above, will also be part of this integrated scheme.
The combined scheme, named Ayushman Bharat-Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-GJAY), aims to transform healthcare access in Odisha. Approximately 3.5 crore residents from 1.3 crore families will be covered under this initiative. Each family will receive an annual insurance cover of ₹5 lakh for medical expenses, with an additional ₹5 lakh allocated specifically for women members, significantly enhancing healthcare security for women across the state.
The official launch is scheduled at the Bali Jatra ground in Cuttack at 2:30 PM, where Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda will formally unveil the scheme. The event will be attended by prominent leaders, including Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Deputy Chief Ministers KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, and Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling. Odisha’s Union Ministers—Jual Oram, Dharmendra Pradhan, and Ashwini Vaishnaw—are also expected to be present, highlighting the significance of the occasion.
To ensure statewide participation, over 1,400 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) will join the event virtually via video conferencing. District-level programs will be held simultaneously, with state ministers attending and addressing gatherings across Odisha.
Beneficiaries will gain access to free, cashless treatment in more than 29,000 government and private hospitals across the country, offering both geographic flexibility and healthcare assurance. The convergence of schemes under AB-GJAY simplifies access and reinforces Odisha’s commitment to inclusive, affordable, and gender-sensitive healthcare.
