BJP trains gun at State govt over BSKY coverage claims

Bhubaneswar: A day after the State government claimed that more than one crore patients have availed the benefits of the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) since August 15, 2018, the Opposition BJP today slammed the ruling-BJD alleging that the government has presented misleading figures to hoodwink people.

Citing the Economic Survey Report of 2016-17, the saffron party said that while a total of 12.60 lakh patients were covered under the Rashtriya Swasthya Vikash Yojana, Biju Krushak Kalyan Yojana and Odisha Treatment Fund in the year, in 2014, 24 lakh patients were provided indoor and outdoor treatment. and around 30 lakh patients were given healthcare benefits in 2015, how come the government managed to provide health cover to nearly 1.1 crore patients in just 72 days.

The saffron party has also lodged an FIR against secretaries of I&PR and Health departments for presenting misleading information on health coverage through advertisements.

“Is the BSKY the State government’s healthcare programme or cheating scheme?” BJP State vice president Samir Mohanty questioned.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also came down heavily on the State government over the claims.

“What magic did you (Naveen Patnaik) do that more than one crore patients received treatment in just two months? The statements of the government are just to hoodwink people,” Pradhan said.

It is pertinent to note that, the State government and the Centre are at loggerheads over their health insurance schemes - BKSY and Ayushmaan Bharat respectively.

Yesterday Health Minister Pratap Jena said 17 premium hospitals and all State and Central government hospitals were covered under the BSKY.

Besides, 4,036 medical packages were included under the BSKY whereas the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) covers only 1,343 packages.