CM promises free healthcare for all

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to ensure universal health coverage in the state, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Tuesday announced a new scheme – Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana – to provide insurance coverage to about 70 lakh families. The scheme will be implemented from August 15 this year.
Addressing the media at the Secretariat here Tuesday evening, Naveen said, “One of our major commitments is universal health coverage. Today, in this regard I am happy that each and everyone visiting any government healthcare institution from district to sub-centre level will be provided free healthcare services.”
Under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, the government will provide secondary and tertiary cashless healthcare assistance up to Rs 5 lakh to each family every year, he said. The Chief Minister added that about 3.5 crore people of the state covering more than 70 lakh families will benefit from the landmark initiative. The CM further said his government would also provide drop-back assistance of Rs 500 to every pregnant women and infant who visit public healthcare facilities. All the three initiatives will be executed from August 15 this year, he added.
The incentive package of Rs 500 per pregnant woman and sick infant will be transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Annually, over 6.50 lakh pregnant women and sick infants will benefit from this initiative, sources said. Continued on P2