Odisha

Odisha BJP MPs Meet Mandaviya, Demand Implementation of Ayshman Bharat Scheme In State

By
OB Bureau

Bhubaneswar: A group of BJP members of parliament (MPs) met Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, on Thursday and demanded the latter’s personal intervention for implementation of Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (ABPMJAY) in Odisha.

The MPs who petitioned to Mandaviya included Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Education, Ashwin Vaishnav, and Bisweshwar Tudu, Union Minister of State for Tribal Welfare and Jal Shakti department. The other signatory MPs are Aparajita Sarangi, Pratap Sarangi, Suresh Pujari and Pramila Bisoyi.

In their memorandum to Mandaviya, the MPs from Odisha pointed out that almost all the states in the country irrespective of political parties are utilising the Central government’s health scheme for the benefit the people, but Odisha and few others are still denying the benefits of this health scheme to the citizens. The dwindling healthcare scenario of Odisha coupled with absence of AB-PMJAY is a major bane for people living in the state.

The MPs further stated that Odisha was ranked 14th for overall health performance among 19 large states in 2019-20, which is lower than states like Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. “Odisha recorded deterioration in the State Health Index and based on the overall incremental performance, Odisha has been categorised as one of the least improved states. Since 2014, Odisha has been one of the worst performers in neonatal mortality rate, maternal mortality, anemia among adolescents and women and child nourishment,” the memorandum read.

Furthermore, the universal health coverage in Odisha remains sporadic because of inequitable distribution of medical resource across the state. Poor rural healthcare infrastructure, gaping holes in medical and paramedic staff positioning, and access to diagnostics facilities remain major challenges in accessing healthcare services. The Rural Health Statistics 2021 reveals that doctor vacancies in PHCs stand close to 31%. Acute shortage of medical staff and those in administrative position are languishing in the state. Per capita availability of doctors and hospital bed are also one of the lowest in the country, the MPs told Mandaviya.

According to the BJP leaders from Odisha, the State Health Insurance Scheme of Odisha government has its limitation to cater to the tertiary healthcare needs of Odia

people as it doesn’t have a pan India portability/admissibility, enough number of impaneled hospitals, robust and fraud free claim settlement process. Despite having the State Health Insurance Scheme, most of the patients are refused admissions to private hospitals even in the state citing non-availability of bed.

“The existing medical facilities in Odisha are not fully equipped to cater to tertiary medical needs of 4.5 crore population of Odisha. Barring the government MCH at Cuttack and few private hospitals in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, majority of Odia people travel to Kolkata, Vellore, Mumbai, Vizag and Delhi for better treatment, they said.

OB Bureau

Recent Posts

Traffic Restrictions For DGP Meet In Bhubaneswar To Impact Mo Bus Service On These Routes

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha capital is under a thick blanket of security bandobast for the DG-IG…

November 29, 2024

All Schools In Bhubaneswar To Shut After 1 PM Today

Bhubaneswar: All schools under Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) limits will remain remain shut after 1…

November 29, 2024

Nagarjuna’s Younger Son Akhil Trolled For 9-Year Age Gap With Fiancée Zainab

Mumbai: Senior actor Nagarjuna had recently shared the news of his younger son Akhil Akkineni’s…

November 28, 2024

New Low In Test Cricket: Sri Lanka All Out In 13.5 Overs!

Mumbai: Can you imagine a top international side getting bowled out in 13.5 overs? It’s…

November 28, 2024

Odisha Govt Earmarks 496 Odia Teachers Posts With Same Pay As TGTs

Bhubaneswar: In a significant development, the state government on Thursday announced that the Odia teachers…

November 28, 2024

Odisha Govt Approves 20 Industrial Projects Worth Rs 1,36 Lakh Cr With 74350 Jobs

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Thursday approved investment proposals worth a record breaking Rs 1,36,622.24…

November 28, 2024

Odisha’s Samarjeet Chakra In Indian Team For World Taekwondo Meet

Bhubaneswar: It was a proud day for Odisha boy Samarjeet Chakra as he has been…

November 28, 2024

Shahid Kapoor’s ‘Deva’ Preponed; Check New Release Date

Mumbai: Shahid Kapoor fans have a reason to celebrate as the release date of his…

November 28, 2024