Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to be piloted in Keonjhar: Odisha CM

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is set to be launched in Odisha, with Keonjhar district selected for the pilot phase. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has issued the directive while reviewing programs of the state Health Department. This was informed by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on Wednesday.

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The initiative aims to digitally integrate most healthcare services to improve efficiency and patient experience.

According to sources, under this ambitious mission, appointments, bookings, referrals, and follow-up services will be conducted through various digital platforms. The to-be-introduced initiative is expected to significantly reduce the patient waiting time and ensure optimal utilisation of healthcare infrastructure.

After evaluating the pilot programme in Keonjhar district, the State government plans to expand the initiative across the entire State.

In addition, to enhance the doctors’ professional skills, Diplomate of National Board (DNB) courses will be introduced at district headquarters hospitals (DHHs). These courses will provide doctors with practical and clinical training, enabling them to pursue specialisation.

The Chief Minister also clarified that AYUSH doctors will prescribe only Ayurvedic medicines and will not prescribe allopathic drugs.

To strengthen AYUSH services in Odisha, he directed that Ayurvedic and Homeopathic medicines be made available at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, ensuring priority healthcare access through traditional medicine systems.

Notably, CM Majhi reviewed the programmes of state Health Department yesterday with a focus on strengthening health infrastructure. In this context, the CM has also taken some other important decisions in healthcare sector.