Malkangiri: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik launched the smart card of Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) at a function here on Friday.
The chief minister initiated the distribution of the smart health cards for the beneficiaries of the tribal-dominated district. Sukri Dhangda Majhi from Bonda community was the first recipient of the smart health card.
Naveen arrived flew from Bhubaneswar in a helicopter and landed at a helipad here in the morning. From there, he drove straight to at Sanskruti Bhawan. After attending a cultural programme presented by the tribals, he distributed the cards.
Total 1,55,823 smart cards will be distributed at 381 centres in the district from August 21 to 25. About 3.5 crore people of 96 lakh families will benefit from the scheme.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said the beneficiaries of BSKY can avail treatment in over 200 hospitals across the country. The smart cards will help them avail the facilities, he added.
Under the scheme, which will be implemented from September 1, each male member of a family is covered by health insurance of Rs 5 lakh and woman of Rs 10 lakh per annum.
The chief minister had announced the scheme at the Independence Day function in Bhubaneswar. Odisha is the first state in the country to have launched the health scheme.
