Odisha Health Minister Clears Confusion Over BSKY; Announces Rabies Elimination Plan

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government in its annual budget for 2024-25 has announced re-branding of Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) as Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY).

However, the announcement made in the budget presented in the Assembly by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has created confusion among beneficiaries as no specific date has been mentioned about the start of the scheme with new name.

Amid doubts in the minds of people, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling has sought to clarify the position and said that BSKY card is still continuing in the state.

BSKY beneficiaries will continue to avail the facilities in all government and private hospitals for now, he said, adding that the government is taking all steps in this direction.

The process for issuing new cards for GJAY will be initiated after the budget appropriation bill is passed in the Assembly in September, the Minister said.

Stating that all the beneficiaries will be provided with GJAY cards after the passage of the final appropriation bill, Mahaling said GJAY will be implemented in the state in phases.

Notably, the state government has allocated Rs 5,450 crore in the budget for GJAY, which is set to replace BSKY health scheme launched by the previous BJD regime.

The Minister further said that steps will be taken for making available anti-rabies vaccine in all hospitals and medical colleges across the state.

Arrangements will also be made for vaccinating stray dogs through joint efforts by the Housing and Urban Development and Health Departments, he said.

The aim is to eliminate rabies in the state as the Centre has launched the National Action Plan for Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination (NAPRE) by 2030.