Minister Assures Strict Implementation Of BSKY In Odisha Private Hospitals

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government will strictly implement the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) in all private hospitals of the state, Health and Family Welfare minister Naba Das said in the State Assembly on Monday.

“I have had a first-round meeting with the authorities of private hospitals and have directed them to strictly implement the BSKY. We will have another round of meetings soon. If any private hospital does not implement the programme, appropriate action will be taken,” the minister said.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Opposition chief whip Mohan Majhi said he has seen the poor getting exploited by Kalinga Hospital authorities. He urged the Speaker to intervene in the matter.

The Speaker later directed the Health and Family Welfare minister to form a ministerial-level committee to probe into the matter.

According to media reports, the son of Basudeb Barik from Naradpur village under Jhumpura block of Keonjhar district had died on June 29 while undergoing treatment at the Kalinga Hospital. In spite of the medical bills having been paid by Basudeb, the hospital refused to hand over his body while demanding more money.

Basudeb later informed Majhi who arrived at the hospital and requested the DGM and officials of the accounts department to release the body. However, the hospital authorities refused to do so. Majhi also alleged that he was insulted and the hospital authorities misbehaved with him.

Majhi later informed the Health minister who ordered an inquiry into the allegations.