Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik today announced extension of free health services under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) to all government medical college hospitals in the state.
All patients, irrespective of APL or BPL category, will avail this facility from February 1, Patnaik said.
Besides, all patients, irrespective of APL or BPL category, will also avail blood bank facility free of cost. Previously, the free treatment facilities for all were available from sub-centres at village level up to the district headquarters hospital level.
The state government, instead of implementing the central government’s Ayushman Bharat Yojana, launched its own Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojna on August 15, 2018.
Official sources said the scheme has received an overwhelming response, with over 2.25 crore instances of free healthcare availed by the people of Odisha during the last five months. In the initial phase of BSKY, all health services in government facilities up to the district headquarters hospital level had been made free for all persons. This cashless care is being provided to all persons with no requirement of any proof of income, residence or any other document.
The free services covers all procedures provided in all government health facilities, including in-patient beds, surgeries, OT facility and ICU facility without any charge. The state government has made an additional provision of over Rs.100 crore from the state budget for implementing the scheme.
In empanelled private hospitals, over 70 lakh families will continue to avail cashless care up to Rs.5 lakh per annum per family, and Rs.7 lakh for women members of the family. ( UNI)
