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

It’s Official, Ranbir, Yash And Sai Pallavi’s Ramayana To Release In Two Parts

New Delhi: Nitesh Tiwari made the official announcement of the much-awaited epic drama 'Ramayana' on…

November 6, 2024

4 Arrested For Attack On Social Worker As ‘Revenge’ In Bhubaneswar, Weapons Seized

Bhubaneswar: Four persons have been arrested in connection with the near-fatal attack on a social…

November 6, 2024

‘God Spared My Life For For A Reason,’ Says Trump; PM Modi Congratulates ‘My Friend’

New Delhi: Nearly President again, Republican candidate Donald Trump thanked his supporters Wednesday and described…

November 6, 2024

Former Odisha MLA Sunanda Das Joins BJP A Week After Quitting BJD

Bhubaneswar: A week after resigning from Biju Janata Dal (BJD), former Odisha MLA Sunanda Das…

November 6, 2024

J&K Assembly Passes Resolution Seeking Dialogue On Restoring Article 370

New Delhi:  The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution asking the Centre…

November 6, 2024

Donald Trump Close To White House Return; Kamala Harris Cancels Howard Speech As Supporters Disperse

New Delhi: Democrat candidate, Kamala Harris had to cancel her anticipated speech at Howard University…

November 6, 2024

New Twist To Death Of Elderly Woman & Daughter In House Fire In Odisha’s Sambalpur

Sambalpur: An elderly woman and her daughter were charred to death while sleeping at Hatapada…

November 6, 2024

Why Simi Garewal Deleted Post Defending Abhishek Bachchan Amid His Divorce Rumours?

New Delhi: Bollywood actress and talk show host Simi Garewal recently shared a post defending…

November 6, 2024