Bhubaneswar: In a major push to strengthen healthcare delivery, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed the Health Department’s programs and announced several new initiatives.
The meeting on Tuesday focused on improving infrastructure, enhancing medical training, and promoting traditional medicine systems across Odisha. The Chief Minister confirmed that the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) will first be implemented in Keonjhar district as a pilot program. ABDM is a national initiative aimed at building a comprehensive digital health ecosystem by connecting hospitals, patients and healthcare providers through digital platforms.
According to the Union Government, ABDM seeks to bridge gaps among stakeholders in healthcare by creating digital highways. It enables services such as online consultations, appointment scheduling, referrals, and digital storage of medical records, ensuring that patients’ health data is secure and accessible. The pilot in Keonjhar will be studied for effectiveness before being rolled out across Odisha.
To strengthen medical education and specialization, the Chief Minister directed that Diplomate of National Board (DNB) courses be introduced in all District Headquarters Hospitals (DHHs). This will allow doctors to receive advanced clinical and practical training, thereby expanding the pool of specialists available in the state.
CM Majhi emphasised the promotion of Ayush medicine systems in another significant move. He announced that Ayush doctors will be permitted to only prescribe Ayurvedic medicines, not allopathic drugs. Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across Odisha will be equipped to provide Ayurvedic and Homeopathic medicines to support this, ensuring wider access to traditional healthcare.
ABDM has already created over 56 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) and linked nearly 35 crore health records nationally. The pilot program at Kendrapada in Odisha aligns with this larger mission, aiming to modernize healthcare delivery while also giving priority to traditional medicine practices. By combining digital innovation, advanced medical training, and traditional healthcare systems, the state government hopes to create a more inclusive and efficient healthcare framework for Odisha’s citizens.
