Naveen thumbs his nose at Ayushman Bharat; launches Odisha health scheme on Independence Day  

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday, Independence Day announced the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, a universal health scheme in the state that will benefit 70 lakh families. Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced from the Red Fort that the central government’s ambitious mega health insurance plan Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Abhiyan under Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Mission (AB-NHPM), or ModiCare would be launched on September 25. The scheme, however, has been marred with a host of problems, including that states that do not have a BJP government at the helm are reluctant to implement the scheme and rather adamant to have their own insurance schemes in place.

"There is no need to join the central government's Ayushman Bharat programme after launching state's own health assurance scheme," Odisha’s Health & Family Welfare Minister Pratap Jena had said last month.

Launching the BKSY health coverage at the Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar, Chief Minister Patnaik described it as "a historic initiative" and said it will have a great impact on state's health scenario.

Beneficiaries of Odisha’s BSKY will get medical assistance of ₹5 lakh and women will get an additional ₹2 lakh, said Patnaik.

Hoisting the national flag at the Mahatma Gandhi Marg here earlier, Patnaik paid homage to freedom fighters and martyrs.

He said the state is giving priority to farmers, women and youths. They are being provided with loan at one per cent interest.

Noting that Odisha has created a new identity, Patnaik announced: "Following the Asian Athletics Championships's success in Bhubaneswar, the city will host the Hockey World Cup in November. It is a matter of pride for us."

With IANS inputs

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