State Health Minister Naba Das admitted to reports in connection with the failure of the healthcare scheme on Monday while replying to a couple of questions by the Opposition raising a finger at the performance of the BSKY.
Das, however, preferred to shift the blame on the ‘communication gaps’ with various hospitals as the primary reason behind the anomalies.
The Health Minister however clarified that the government is keen on addressing the situation and even include more hospitals for empanelment under the scheme.
A total of 315 hospitals in Odisha and 15 hospitals outside the State will be included under the BSKy scheme, said Das.
Notably, the Odisha government has come under intense criticism by the Opposition flanks over the failure of BSKY cards in providing succour to people at several hospitals.
Congress MLA Adhiraj Panigrahy on Monday told the State Assembly that many patients are enduring immeasurable pains as they are unable to reap the benefits of the BSKY cards at various hospitals in the State and outside.
Citing some instances in Nuapada district, Panigrahy said many well-known private hospitals have been denying people of availing treatment using BSKY facilities because of problems in getting disbursement from the Odisha government.
Similarly, BJP MLA Mukesh Mahaling alleged that patients are not able to avail OPD services using the BSKY cards.
The development comes a day after Chief Minister issued a note of thanks following the Governor's inaugural address in the Assembly wherein the former said that around 96 lakh families in the State are being provided BSKY card benefits. Patnaik also lauded his government machinery for successfully tackling the Covid pandemic in the State.
The cases of Panchanan Jena, a resident of Gop area in Puri district, Akul Lakra of Rajgangpur in Sundargarh district and Nakul Prasad Ghadei, a resident of Kusunapur village under Khaira block in Balasore district bear testimony to how the yojana (scheme) has gone haywire.
Panchanan is suffering from kidney-related ailments. He did not have the money to foot the bill of hospital expenses, but had a Smart Health Card. Believing in each words of the government announcement and hoping he would be fully taken care of, Panchanana reached the Appolo Hospital in Bhubaneswar. But the hospital authorities reportedly told him that the card would not give him free treatment. Crestfallen, he returned his village.
“I took treatment at a hospital in Cuttack. As I was not cured and didn't have money, I went to Apollo Hospital in Bhubaneswar, carrying the BSKY Smart Health Card. But they refused to accept the card,” said Panchanan, his voice choking.
Akul Lakra has the same story as that of Panchanan to narrate. He had taken his mother to High-Tech Hospital in Rourkela to get her leg operated. “At first the hospital authorities refused to entertain the card. Later, they allowed but within a week they told me that the limit of reimbursement had exhausted. So I had to pay the rest of the hospital bill,” Lakra alleged.
Nakul has the same experience with respect to BSKY card as those of Panchanan Jena and Akul Lakra. “I would like to request Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to issue an order so that we no longer need anyone’s reference and can get hassle free treatment,” appealed Nakul who is in need of treatment for his fractured leg.
Meanwhile, the Odisha Private Hospital Association has clarified it that free health facilities would no longer be provided to BSKY’s Smart Health Card holders.
“There are many diseases that do not feature in the list. There are such diseases in the list treatment of which are impossible within the package price. The patients are suffering due to some of the diseases classified under referral and reserved categories,” clarified Dr Subrat Jena, president, Odisha Private Hospital Association.
In this regard, Health Minister Naba Kishore Das said, “I am aware of the facts. I have already directed my department and we will soon have a meeting with the association to do away with disagreements.”
Most of India’s hospital bed and ventilators are concentrated in seven States - Uttar Pradesh (14.8%), Karnataka (13.8%), Maharashtra (12.2%), Tamil Nadu (8.1%), West Bengal (5.9%), Telangana (5.2%) and Kerala (5.2%). Private sector has dominant presence in India’s health facilities having more hospitals, more hospital beds, more ICUs and more ventilators than what the public sector hospitals have.
Since over 80% of Indians were without health insurance cover, high hospitalisation charges were paid by people out of their savings or borrowing. The Ayushman Bharat initiative of Government of India covering about 11 crore poor families of the country came as a great relief to the economically vulnerable people as hospitalization was made free for them up to a reasonable financial limit. Odisha Government, however, decided to launch its own scheme and crafted an Assurance scheme making about 99% of the state’s families eligible for cashless treatment facilities in empanelled private hospitals for some ailments.
Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) has been launched, as the state government says, as a “pathbreaking programme” to provide universal health coverage, with special emphasis on the health protection of economically vulnerable families. The goal is sought to be achieved through two components. First one is the State Government will bear full cost of all health services delivered to all patients (irrespective of income, status or residence) in all State Government health care facilities starting from sub-centre level to district headquarters and Government Medical College Hospital and Blood Bank level. Second, the State Government will bear the cost of healthcare provided in empanelled private hospitals for over 96.5 lakh economically vulnerable families in the State, amounting to Annual Health coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family and Rs 5 lakh for the women members of the family over and above the five-lakh limit.
Two areas in this scheme, however, need a closer look. The state’s population in 2021 is estimated at 46.8 million. The average size of a family in India is 4.8. On this basis, the state would have a total number of 97.5 lakh families. The state government has covered as many as 96.5 lakh families under the BSKY identifying them as economically vulnerable families. This leaves only one lakh families of the state who seem to be economically well off. This is a sad commentary on the quality of implementation of the poverty amelioration programmes of the state government for over two decades. The second area of concern is the policy to provide everyone free medical facility, medicines, in government health institutions. Here both the poor and the rich benefit. If this is the case, why then are hundreds of medicine shops functioning, why are there so many diagnostic centres, and what is the rquirement of so many private medical professionals in the state? Obviously, they are in business because they have customers. Private hospitals too remain overcrowded. This raises issues of credibility and quality of service.
Official website mentions that since its inception on August 15, 2018, the BSKY has launched a new era in Universal Health Coverage, with over 45 lakh instances of cashless treatment being provided each month. The scheme is being operated by the State Health Assurance Society. As per the arrangement, the private hospitals are to submit claims within a month and the valid claims would be paid by the government within two months. Reports, however, have started appearing in the press about pending claims of private hospitals and about the cost of treatment fixed by the government being unrealistically low and unworkable. The scheme, it appears, has hit road-blocks soon after being in operation. It is apprehended that with the number of smart-card holders seeking treatment in empanelled hospitals increasing, timely payment of claims by the Assurance Society would pose real problem leading to disruption of cashless facility—a situation encountered by many beneficiaries of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) in Odisha in respect of many empanelled hospitals in Bhubaneswar.
To realise the Chief Minister’s faith that “every life is precious” the state must have adequate number of Doctors, Nurses, paramedical staff, adequate and functional equipment. The state however is acutely short of doctors; the infrastructure is just modest; cases of ambulance failing to reach waiting patients in time are many. These areas of concern warrant much greater attention.
Chief Minister touring various districts for distribution of the smart cards for the BSKY immediately after the last Assembly session (which he did not attend) was adjourned much before the schedule makes many wonder if it’s intended to garner political dividends in the impending elections to the ULBs and PRIs. Many also feel that the reason for keeping the state away from the national scheme of Ayushman Bharat was to generate political support. But it needs to be appreciated that our system of government is a political arrangement and a party in power is well within its rights to shape policies that ensure both public good and beneficial for the party. In that sense the BSKY is a bold political initiative but a hugely expensive and challenging one. Today it looks highly susceptible to hitting road blocks. It will be a pity if it doesn’t succeed. For its success, the state needs a robust infrastructure which it now doesn’t have.
(DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are the author’s own and have nothing to do with OTV’s charter or views. OTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same. The author can be reached at lonewalker.1942@gmail.com)
More From The Author: Why Odisha Candidates Struggle To Qualify For Civil Services?
As per the recently released NFHS-5 report, during the last half-decade, the coverage of health insurance scheme in the State is up by only around 0.2 percent. The total households where at least one member is covered by a health insurance/financing scheme in 2015-16 (prior to launch of BSKY) was 47.7 percent.
The count in 2020-21 stands at 47.9 percent. Significantly, the ambitious BSKY was rolled out in the State in August 2018.
The NFHS report reveals no impact on health insurance penetration in the State, despite the claims of the Odisha government that under the new scheme 70 lakh households have been brought under the health insurance net.
Prior to the BSKY, the only insurance scheme available in the State was Rashtriya Swasthiya Bima Yojana for BPL families.
Odisha Vs Chhattisgarh
Neighboring Chhattisgarh became the first state in India to make the RSBY universal in the year 2012. As a consequence, the health insurance coverage stood at 68.4 percent in 2015-16 vis-à-vis 47.7 percent in Odisha.
In 2020-21, the total count has jumped to a massive 71.4 percent. Significant here is the State had implemented the Ayushman Bharat Yojana in September 2018 (as per information provided in the PMJAY website).
The above numerical comparison shows the impact of PMJAY in increasing the coverage.
Odisha Vs Jharkhand
This northern neighbor of Odisha had only 13.3 percent households with a health insurance cover in 2015-16 as against Odisha’s 47.7 percent. In 2020-21, the count has taken a long leap to touch 50.3 percent. Though the state has been implementing RSBY since its inception, the only change observed between 2015-16 and 2020-21 had been rolled out of Ayushman Bharat. The Impact is obvious from the jump.
Odisha Vs West Bengal
In the year 2015-16, the number of households covered with a health insurance or financing scheme in the eastern neighbour of Odisha was 33.4 percent.
The number in 2020-21 has dipped to 29.3 percent. The significant change witnessed during the last half-decade is Centre-launched Ayushman Bharat and replaced it with RSBY. Incidentally, West Bengal is another state, besides Odisha, to not implement Ayushman Bharat.
While Odisha rolled out its own scheme, WB is yet to introduce one. The drop in numbers tells the obvious tale.
Odisha Vs Andhra Pradesh
This southern neighbour of Odisha had launched a health insurance scheme called YSR Arogyashree in the year 2007. The State was first in the country then to roll out such a health insurance scheme. As a consequence, the penetration of health insurance in households stood at a massive 75percent. A government change happened in 2014. Despite implementing the Ayushman Bharat since Jan 2020, the coverage count in the State has dropped to around 70% in 2020-21.
Patnaik also distributed smart cards to the beneficiaries in Malkangiri during the programme. Several Ministers and MLAs were present on the occasion.
In his speech, Patnaik said, “Around 3.5 crore people belonging to 96 lakh families in the State will receive BSKY Smart Cards. The beneficiaries will avail healthcare facilities under the scheme from September 1.”
“Each family can avail treatment cost up to Rs 5 lakh per year and women will get benefits up to Rs 10 lakh per year under BSKY,” he said.
The Odisha government had announced the expansion of its flagship health insurance scheme - Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) on the occasion of the 75th Independence Day.
The scheme will extend cashless health coverage to the smartcard holders in more than 200 empanelled hospitals in the State.
“We have decided to start the scheme from Malkangiri and the distribution of such health cards is first of its kind in the country. It will go a long way in strengthening health security of people in the State,” added Patnaik.
As per the system, no document is required for cashless healthcare services in government facilities. However, the beneficiaries will have to produce the food security card (until they get the smart card) at the empanelled private hospitals for availing cashless care up to the annual financial limit.
The government will kick off the new initiative in a phased manner. It will be launched in Malkangiri, Sundargarh, Gajapati, Bolangir and Mayurbhanj districts in the first phase after the announcement of the same on August 15, and subsequently cover all districts by November 2021, the State Health & Family Welfare Department said in a letter.
From August 15, the scheme will be expanded to cover more beneficiaries and more hospitals. There will be changes in eligibility criteria and reputed private hospitals in the major cities outside the State will be empanelled under BSKY and brought to the online BSKY platform.
Check the revised eligibility criteria:
BSKY Smart health card to all NFSA/ SFSA beneficiaries
Till the BSKY card is distributed, the family can use their NFSA/ SFSA cards to avail benefits, w.e.f., 01.09.2021
As per the H&FW department, an additional 20,80,328 lakh families will be covered and issued the BSKY card.
How to Avail the Benefits:
Government health facilities: As per the existing system. No document is required for cashless healthcare service.
Empanelled private hospitals: Beneficiary has to produce BSKY Smart Health Card OR NFSA card OR SFSA card for availing cashless care upto an annual financial limit, w.e.f., 01.09.2021.
Terming Odisha government’s BSKY as a ‘historic step,’ Patnaik stated BPL and above poverty line (APL) people will be benefitted by the State’s health coverage scheme.
“The BSKY is better in comparison to the Ayushman Bharat which covers BPL category families only,” said the chief minister at his party's ‘Jan Sampark Padyatra’ rally in Bhubaneswar.
“The state government has launched its healthcare coverage scheme for those who do not have a BPL card and will stand beside all sections of the society. Our scheme will benefit all,” the CM further said.
In response, BJP said when Union Health minister JP Nadda has stated several times that Centre’s scheme will cover all as per the socio-economic caste census (SECC) data which almost covers both the BPL and APL categories, there is no point why the Chief Minister of the State is making such statements.
Besides, in urban areas, everyone apart from the government employees are covered under the Ayushman Bharat, said BJP spokesperson Golak Mohapatra.
“If the CM had any reservations, he should have presented them during meetings with the Union Health Minister,” Mohapatra added.
Meanwhile, Pradhan said the Odisha CM is trying to mislead people in broad daylight as the guidelines of BSKY has not been finalised yet.
#BijucareVsModicare: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan responds to Naveen Patnaik, says the #Odisha CM is trying to mislead people in broad daylight; the guidelines of Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana are not finalised yet; 4,036 health packages are only on pen & paper pic.twitter.com/xMGZ08G0uH
— OTV (@otvnews) October 31, 2018
Yesterday, Pradhan had challenged Odisha government’s claim of providing coverage in over one crore cases under BSKY in just 60 days of implementation the scheme.
In a Facebook video, the Union Minister said that Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik feels insecure about Modi’s increasing popularity which is the main reason for not implementing the Ayushman Bharat scheme in the State.
Presenting a few others facts on the healthcare situation in Odisha, Pradhan said that the average number of doctors for every 1 lakh people in the State has reduced to nine from 11. The infant mortality rate is highest in Odisha in comparison to other States, he added.
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.
The government which has been claiming its health care scheme better than Centre's Ayushman Bharat yojana changed the guidelines to benefit more families in the State.
Terming State's own health care scheme a success, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik informed that over 1.1 crore patients have already been benefitted within two months of the launch of the scheme.
"Odias who are living outside Odisha can now also avail the scheme anywhere in the country and the people from the State who wish to seek the benefits the scheme outside the State can do so," said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
State Health and Family Welfare Minister, Pratap Jena informed that nearly 4,036 medical packages were included under the BSKY whereas the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) covers only 1,343 packages.
A patient who will be referred to a hospital outside the State will get a conveyance charge at the rate of Rs 2,000 and the amount will be transferred to the bank account of the beneficiary.
Highlighting the achievements of his government, Patnaik stated that the state government is carrying out infrastructure development and ensuring empowerment of women. "Odisha has moved ahead and will continue to do so in coming days. In democracy, welfare of masses is important and I am happy to have kept my promises,” the CM stated.
Patnaik, during his speech said that the State government has always prioritised youth, women and farmers as he recalled the freedom fighters and other great sons of the soil.
"We are providing loans at an interest rate of one percent. After the Asian Athletics meet, Odisha is all set to host the Men’s World Cup hockey," Patnaik pointed out. He also took salute at a spectacular parade that followed the address.
In a video which went viral on social media, Kumbhar claimed that he used his own money for treatment and visited SCB medical multiple times in the last 2 months but did not get any help from the State government.
He also said that he was hurt after his photo was used by the State government as a beneficiary of BSKY.
However, the H & FW department has said that Kumbhar was persuaded to mislead people on BSKY scheme. "Under BSKY he was given drugs, diagnostics, ECG, indoor bed, diet & other services free," the department tweeted.
Such tutored videos are being posted to mislead people on BSKY. Laxman Kumbhar of PS Komna,Nuapada was admitted to DHH Nuapada from 9.10.18 to 10.10.18 with Regd No 11204 dated 09.10.2018. Under BSKY he was given drugs, diagnostics, ECG, indoor bed, diet & other services free.1/2 pic.twitter.com/5j5iVZ8RDk
— H & FW Dept Odisha (@HFWOdisha) December 4, 2018
“He was referred to SCB MCH for further treatment. The photograph of patient was taken with his consent as he was a recipient of all services provided cashless under BSKY at District Headquarters Hospital Nuapada,” H & PW department tweeted.
After the matter came to fore, Odisha BJP president, Basant Panda had slammed the State government and accused Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of spreading lies.
One glaring example is Lakshman Kumbhar, a heart patient from Bhela village of Nuapada district, whose photo was used in one of the hoardings of BSKY. Kumar alleged that he has not received any financial help from the Odisha government so far.
"I am not getting any help from the State government. I am hurt that my photo has been used by them. I have used my own money for my treatment and visited SCB medical multiple times in the last 2 months," complainant Kumbhar said.
Meanwhile, BJP has slammed the State government and accused Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of spreading lies.
"This proves that Naveen Patnaik is lying. It is unfortunate that Kumar has to go through this," Odisha BJP president, Basant Panda said.
Responding to allegations, BJD's Nuapada district president, Rajendra Dholakia said, "They need to go to a specific counter at SCB hospital to avail the service. It seems they are unaware of it."
In a Facebook video, the Union Minister said that Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik feels insecure about Modi’s increasing popularity which is the main reason for not implementing the Ayushman Bharat scheme here.
Presenting a few facts on the healthcare system in Odisha, Pradhan said that the average number of doctors for every 1 lakh people in the State has reduced to nine from 11.
“While ICUs are available in only 12 out of 30 District Headquarters Hospitals, 112 health centres in Odisha don’t have electricity,” Pradhan added.
#Watch: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan challenges #Odisha govt's claim of treating 1 crore cases under #BijuSwasthyaKalyanYojana in last 60 days pic.twitter.com/YoPARb2x8B
— OTV (@otvnews) October 30, 2018
Pradhan also mentioned that the newborn death rate is highest in Odisha in comparison to other States.
In response to Pradhan, Odisha Health Minister Pratap Jena criticised the BJP stating that it is acting against the benefit of the people in Odisha and further tagged the party as a 'Jumla Sarkar' that only makes false promises during elections.
Tagging BJP as a 'Jumla Sarkar' that only makes false promises, #Odisha Health Minister Pratap Jena says, "CM mentioned that over 1 crore cases were benefited under the scheme from Aug 15 till date. The number includes patients visiting hospital either once or multiple times." pic.twitter.com/JLAyN8w1Qr
— OTV (@otvnews) October 30, 2018
Clarifying on the number of cases treated under BSKY, Jena said, "The Chief Minister mentioned that over 1 crore cases were benefited under the scheme from August 15 till date. This number includes patients visiting hospital either once or multiple times."
Earlier in the day, Additional Chief Secretary of Odisha Finance Department, Tuhin Kant Pandey in a press conference had informed that an amount of Rs 700 crore will be contributed by the central government towards BSKY.
While Rs 1375 crore will be spent by the State government towards BSKY, the Centre will spend Rs 700 crore raising the total amount to Rs 2075 crore, Pandey had informed.
However, the Health Department later clarified that the Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, inadvertently mentioned about Rs 785 crores central assistance under National Health Mission.
"The State government will be spending Rs 1003.52 crores for the BSKY in the current financial year. Therefore, it is reiterated that there is no central government support to the BSKY which is fully funded by the State government out of its own resources," the Health Department clarified. .
The tug of war between the Centre and the State has intensified recently after Odisha Health Minister Pratap Jena had claimed that the Centre's scheme Ayushman Bharat is of no use for residents of Odisha.
On the other hand, Union Health Minister J P Nadda had said that it is not good that people of Odisha are being deprived of the facilities which are being provided under Ayushman Bharat scheme.
No sooner the CM expressed his happiness tweeting, “Happy to share, health cover under #BijuSwasthyaKalyanaYojana will be raised from ₹5lakh to ₹7lakh for women. This historic move, a first in country, will benefit lakhs of women & assure adequate healthcare coverage,” the Odisha Congress chief took a potshot at the CM through consecutive tweets and started citing instances of failure of the scheme.
Leaving no stone unturned, Niranjan ‘showed the mirror to BJD Government’ over the status of women in Odisha.
https://twitter.com/NPatnaikOdisha/status/1011904937486241792
Claiming that the efforts of the BJD are just eyewash for the people of Odisha, Niranjan pointed at many such instances including minor girl rapes, ambulance failure, absence of adequate healthcare services for women leading to delivery on roads and auto-rickshaws, and many other schemes that have remained just on papers.
A few months ago, another woman gave birth in a drain, near hospital's canteen in Koraput after she was refused admission by hospital. If you think it can't get worse than this, then you are mistaken. (2/n)
BJD's #OdishaForWomen has FAILED! pic.twitter.com/KuISLqliMd
— Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) June 27, 2018
As usual, ambulance failed to show up and a woman, in Mayurbhanj, was forced to deliver baby on road. This, for reasons unknown, is considered as a badge of honour by the BJD Govt. (3/n)
BJD's #OdishaForWomen has FAILED! pic.twitter.com/pMbEAFJxp4
— Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) June 27, 2018
In the absence of adequate healthcare services and nearly no infrastructure development in Rayagada distt, a woman gave birth to a still born on road, while being carried in a sling to a community healthcare centre. (4/n)
BJD's #OdishaForWomen has FAILED! pic.twitter.com/HDmdrjdNGy
— Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) June 27, 2018
The OPCC chief further questioned on what basis the BJD government is shamelessly making tall claims of progress in healthcare.
In yet another incident, a woman was forced to deliver her baby on road due to unavailability of ambulances. On what basis does the BJD Govt shamelessly make tall claims of progress in healthcare? (5/n)
BJD's #OdishaForWomen has FAILED! pic.twitter.com/fAQOPs9gvI
— Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) June 27, 2018
According to the NCRB data, in 2015, 995 minor girls were raped and in 2016, 1258 minors were raped in Odisha. Even now, almost everyday we hear of such heinous incidents in our state. (6/n)
BJD's #OdishaForWomen has FAILED! pic.twitter.com/NwxbGCFl6e
— Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) June 27, 2018
Odisha ranks 4th in India in terms of number of rapes of minor girls, according to NCRB data 2016. (7/n)
BJD's #OdishaForWomen has FAILED! pic.twitter.com/iHdZKiyZXT
— Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) June 27, 2018
It's not just in terms of law & order and violence against women where BJD's #OdishaForWomen has FAILED. If talk about human development indices, even there the Govt has failed the women of our state. 51% women in Odisha are anaemic. (Source: NFHS-4, 2015-16) (8/n) pic.twitter.com/EcVqIAkAEg
— Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) June 27, 2018
It's not just in terms of law & order and violence against women where BJD's #OdishaForWomen has FAILED. If talk about human development indices, even there the Govt has failed the women of our state. 51% women in Odisha are anaemic. (Source: NFHS-4, 2015-16) (8/n) pic.twitter.com/EcVqIAkAEg
— Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) June 27, 2018
Last but not the least: 24 women are sexually assaulted EVERY DAY in Odisha (NCRB). Horrifying!
The BJD Govt must STOP making fake claims about #OdishaForWomen, via paid PR campaigns and instead introspect on how & why they have failed mothers & daughters of Odisha! (9/9) pic.twitter.com/2sIwuqqxu1
— Niranjan Patnaik (@NPatnaikOdisha) June 27, 2018
Reportedly, during discussions at Ama Gaon Ama Bikash session today, one Mamata from Malkangiri called for enhancing Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana cover for women. Taking note of this, CM Naveen decided to increase the amount from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7 lakh for women.
Naveen had also tweeted on Odisha for Women initiative stating “From Mission Shakti to Mamata & Khushi to land rights & houses, 50% reservation in Panchayats to free bicycles & hostels for girls, Odisha stands for women. The enhanced BSKY cover is yet another step for women & also for Healthy, Happy & Empowered Odisha.”
The woman from Malkangiri, Mamata Padiami had requested to enhance the health assistance under the ‘Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana’ for women. However, the opposition parties on the other hand claimed that such move is not aimed at improving the health sector rather BJD government has come up with such announcement to secure its own women vote bank keeping in view upcoming 2019 elections.
“I have taken note of the suggestion. With this decision women of the State will be benefited in a big way,” said Patnaik while announcing the decision at the State Secretariat after holding discussions about the progress of the ‘Ama Gaon Ama Bikash Yojana’ in eight districts today.
Odisha government had earlier announced the scheme on June 12 which would be implemented from August 15.
Meanwhile, Opposition lambasted the State government over the increase in health assistance and asked whether budgetary provision was made or not for the same.
“Several schemes are being announced by government but whether any budgetary provision has been made? On one hand, the government announced an increase of money for health coverage under the scheme but on the other women are still delivering in bus or autorickshaws in different parts of the State,” said Niranjan Patnaik, OPCC chief.
Echoing similar views, BJP leader Lekhashree Samantsinghar said, “Without budgetary provision why Odisha CM increased the amount for the scheme? This move is only to cheat people of the State. The way schemes are being announced foundation stones laid from Secretariat, it seems that the CM before going to bed must be thinking on how to cheat people next day.”
While the Ayushman is an insurance scheme, the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana is an assurance and money will be directly given to beneficiaries, the ruling-BJD stated.
In a presser, BJD spokesperson Pratap Deb said, “While the Center is announcing the health scheme now, the BJD had announced such schemes in its 2014 poll manifesto.”
“On basis of the Socio Economic and Caste Census, the Centre has decided 61 lakh beneficiaries under the Ayushman scheme. But the State is planning to give benefits to 70 lakh beneficiaries under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana. How come both the schemes are same?” Deb further questioned.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan targeted the Chief Minister over deteriorating health services in the State.
“The State government should not oppose the scheme only for the sake of it with political motive. I want to request the CM to refrain from doing harm to Odia people especially poor sections of the society,” said Pradhan.
The allegations have been levelled by patients of ward number 4 of the Berhmapur Municipal Corporation.
"After coming here, the hospital authorities said that only Rs 70, 000 can be availed. We are feeling dejected," a patient Shyam Sundar Nayak.
However, the Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO) Sadananda Mishra has refuted the allegations. He said that the healthcare assistance is being given through Krushak Kalyan card since the authorities are unable to carry out any critical surgeries at the city hospital due to lack of quality infrastructure. Besides, after availing healthcare benefits from 'Niramaya' and other such schemes people generally don't need other healthcare insurance facilities for their treatment at the hospital, the CDMO added.
Berhampur City Hospital Protocol Manager Gangapani Behera said, “We have not received any official notification for providing healthcare facilities under BSKY. But as far we know there are provisions of health cover of Rs 1 lakh through RSBY and BKKY but we have no idea about the modalities of provision for health cover o the rest Rs 4 lakh under BSKY.”
Meanwhile, reports of irregularities have sparked criticism from the opposition parties.
BJP state secretary, Bibhuti Bhusan Jena said, “Let alone BSKY cards, the swiping machine required for BKKY cards are also not present in MKCG Medical College and Hospital but the state government is boasting about providing healthcare benefits to 1 crore people.”
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Similarly, Ganjam district Congress executive president Deepak Pattnaik alleged that the ruling BJD is trying to fool the people of Odisha.
However, BJD MLA Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik said Biju Krushak card facilities which were earlier provided to the people have been renewed but new Biju Swasthya Kalyan cards have not been given.
The State Health Department which has upped its sleeves for this mass outreach programme undertaken by the state government is all set with its blueprint for disctribution of the letters.
As per sources, the district collectors have already been sent the beneficiary lists. As per the guidelines, the distribution of the letters will begin after the Chief Minister inaugurates the new scheme on August 15 and end within 7 days.
The Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Pramod Meherda, has asked all district collectors to ensure that the letter should reach all beneficiaries.
To ensure successful distribution of the letters , committees have been set up at block and district level, said reports.
As per the scheme, each eligible family will be paid a health cover of Rs 5 lakh while women will be entitled for Rs 7 lakh.
Of the total health cover, 1 lakh would be health insurance while the remaining four lakh would be borne by the state government during medical exigencies, informed Chief Secretary AP Padhi .
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Meanwhile, the Opposition parties have come down heavily on the ruling BJD while questioning the motive behind the new scheme by the government when elections are round the corner.
BJP Spokesperson Golak Mohapatra said that never in the history of Odisha have people seen such an attempt by the government to woo voters.
"The new programme is only politics being played by the BJD employing government machinery. If the state government wants to do something it is welcome, but what is the need of sending letters,” he questioned.
Former OPCC chief and senior Congress leader Jaydev Jena also said the BJD is using the entire goverenment machinery to woo voters in favour of the party ahead of the elections in a pre-planned manner.
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Meanwhile, Health Minister Pratap Jena said, "It is a habit of the Opposition to criticise the government schemes, but we are unconcerned about their comments because we are committed to take benefits of the health scheme reach every nook and cranny of the state.”
The State government had held that BSKY is a superior scheme with more beneficiaries as compared to Centre’s Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Mission.
However, residents of Kandili village under Sadar block of Rayagada district alleged that the list prepared under the scheme has excluded many of the actual beneficiaries. Not only this, people were shocked to see the names of a few dead people in the list.
One Sunita Tadangi, whose husband Babu Rao Tadangi passed away 11 months ago, has been left out of the new list just because her husband’s name is still in the beneficiaries list.
Another Jodi Kadraka who had passed away almost 25 years back still has his name in the list, reports claimed.
Apart from this, the government has not included a single person from Disaripada village in the list of beneficiaries, sources said.
While the government claimed that 72,000 people in the district have already been facilitated with health cards, an OTV ground report revealed that many residents have been left out which is why the medical officers engaged in distributing the cards are also finding it difficult to complete the process.
Chid Bhusan Panda, Medical Officer of Jamadeipentha Community Health Centre said, “When we went to distribute the cards as per the list, we found that a few persons have already died. So it becomes a confusion whether to give them the cards or not.”
On the other hand, Additional Public Health Officer Dr Laxmi Narayan Prusty informed that the list has been prepared on the basis of facts and figures presented in 2012. He further stated that people whose names are missing in the list should immediately contact either the District Agriculture or the Labour Department to register themselves in the scheme.
As per government reports, under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, secondary and tertiary cashless health care assistance of up to Rs 5 lakh per annum will be provided whereas an additional amount of Rs 2 lakh would be given to the women beneficiaries, reports claim.
This apart, two additional health schemes- Universal Health Coverage and Drop Back Assistance were implemented by the State Government from August 15, 2018.
Though both PMJAY and BKSY have two identical packages of providing free Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC), covering both maternal and child health services and non-communicable diseases, including free essential drugs and diagnostic services and the second component of health protection cover to poor and vulnerable families for secondary and tertiary care, Padhi in his letter to Ayushman Bharat CEO seeks a model agreement, whereby Centre has to release grant-in-aid to State for the free services, which the State is currently providing.
"For the State of Odisha, NHA may consider the option of mutually arriving at notional percentage of PMJAY eligible beneficiaries out of the total beneficiaries using public facilities, and factor in the average claim size under PMJAY for calculating the grant-in-aid entitlement of the State for free services in public health facilities," writes Padhi.
In other words, the State Government seems trying to renegotiate the health grant-in-aid released to State in every Union Budget. The tone and tenor of the letter suggest that the NHA and State will together make an imaginary estimation of PMJAY beneficiaries from the total beneficiaries availing health services in government hospitals. Later, factoring in the average claim size demanded under PMJAY, both will calculate the grant-in aid the State receives every year from Centre.
In a way, the State has brought in some provisions to renegotiate the health grant-in-aid amount the Centre devolves under its own formula.
Simply put, the State is putting up a hard bargain to bring in more central funds in lieu of giving a nod to PMJAY. And lastly, CS termed it as an option before the Centre to see a seamless integration.
Meanwhile, a meeting regarding the convergence of both the schemes was held at the Secretariat in Bhubaneswar today. The meeting was held between a central team led by Ayushman Bharat CEO and delegates of the Odisha government represented by the Health Minister, Chief Secretary, Health Secretary and other officials.
During the meeting, the central team was informed about the advantages of the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, and how the scheme will be beneficial for people of Odisha, informed Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi adding that there will be two more rounds of discussions.
"A preliminary discussion was held today with the CEO of National Health Authority & Ayushman Bharat, Indu Bhushan. We will reach a conclusion only after a few more rounds of discussion," said Padhi.
After the meeting, Indu Bhushan said discussions with the Odisha government were positive.
"Ayushman Bharat is truly a national scheme and it will help the people of Odisha. The scheme can be availed anywhere across the country. The State already has a good scheme in place. Our challenge is how to converge both the schemes," Bhushan said.
Odisha Health Minister Naba Das said, "We have not taken any final decision, we are just examining whether it will be good for us or not. We are waiting for a proposal from the Centre."
Odisha is among the five States which has not implemented Centre’s Ayushman Bharat scheme.
The AIIMS, Bhubaneswar signed an MoU with the Health and Family welfare department of Odisha government.
As per the agreement, AIIMS-Bhubaneswar will provide free treatment to needy patients under the state government's Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), Das said.
The Health Minister also held a meeting with the management of private hospitals and discussed about BSKY. Das urged the management to be sensitive while catering to the needs of economically-backward patients.
So far the state government has signed agreement with 196 private hospitals both in the state and outside to ensure that poor patients from Odisha get health service under BSKY.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on August 15, 2018 had launched the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana which covers around 70 lakh families in the state.
The provisions of the BSKY provides annual health coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family and 7 lakh per women members of the family.
"Our women will now get Rs 10 lakh for their treatment instead of Rs 7 lakh under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana," informed Professor Ganeshi Lal.
It is pertinent to mention here that CM Naveen Patnaik, prior to the 2019 general elections, had promised to increase BSKY assistance amount by Rs 3 lakh for women. “We will hike the assistance amount under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana to Rs 10 lakh from Rs 7 lakh for women, if the party comes to power in the State,” Patnaik had said.
BSKY was launched in 2018 to provide near universal health coverage, especially to the economically vulnerable families. As per government reports, as many as 3.5 crore people received treatment under the scheme. BSKY also promises free services in government hospitals up to district-level and Drop Back Assistance for pregnant women and infants.
Replying to a question of BJP member Mohan Majhi, the minister said 2,21,60,000 people in the state were identified as below poverty line in 2004-2005 but that number came down to 1,38,53,000 in 2011-2012 fiscal.
Behera said the per capita income of the people of the state during the period has also increased. While the per capita income of people in rural areas was Rs 407, it was Rs 497 in urban areas in 2004-05 fiscal.
However, the minister said the survey conducted in 2011-12 revealed that the per capital income in rural and urban areas were Rs 695 and Rs 861 respectively.
The minister said the state government has implemented several poverty alleviation schemes like Madhu Babu Pension Yojana, Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana, Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, Biju Gram Jyoti Yojana, Biju Saharnchal Vidyutkaran Yojana and others.
Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal during his address to the Assembly on June 25, had said that the state government was taking measures to bring down the poverty below five per cent of the total population in next five years.
Bhubaneswar: Ruling Biju Janata Dal’s (BJD) campaign for the recent Lok Sabha and state assembly elections revolved around the Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme of its government.
Hailed by economists and planning experts it was supposed to be the panacea for the all problems being faced by the farming community. It took care of marginal farmers and the long neglected share-croppers as well. Both BJD and its government projected the scheme in a big way to woo the farmers who constitute a major vote-bank.
There were minor hiccups like election code of conduct coming in the way of disbursement of KALIA money to the beneficiaries. Those who did not receive money were peeved and complained bitterly. But they were assured that money would reach them the moment the election-related restrictions were lifted.
The party led by chief minister, Naveen Patnaik is said to have reaped rich electoral dividends from the scheme which was considered so important that the state government had initially appeared reluctant to have anything to do with the PM kisan yojana, an umbrella scheme at the national level for the members of the farming community.
A Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) versus Ayushman Bharat like situation had emerged with regard to KALIA and the Centre’s PM Kisan Yojana. It took some time for the state government to agree to share the list of beneficiaries with the Centre for the PM Kisan yojana. One is not sure if the entire list has reached the Centre yet.
Given this backdrop the plea of two senior BJP MPs in parliament for the merger of state-run schemes like KALIA with the PM kisan yojana raises some obvious questions, the most obvious being whether the state government is finding KALIA’s financial burden too much to handle?
This is quite possible given the state’s rising loan burden and the fact that it cannot cut down expenses on the many welfare schemes which have kept it in power for so many years. Besides the government’s pro-people and pro-poor image has come to be linked with these measures which, it appears, were initiated in some cases without taking the state’s fiscal health into account.
The state then has to find a way out of this crisis. In the past the government has done so cleverly in some cases. Take for example the Rs.1 per kg rice scheme which is among the most popular welfare measures of Naveen Patnaik government. The scheme is hailed as state’s very own but the fact remains that it gets highly subsidized rice from the Centre which considerably reduces its financial burden.
This kind of an arrangement suits the state government. The plea for merging KALIA with the PM kisan yojana, if accepted, will bail out Naveen Patnaik government from a difficult situation while keeping its reputation as a pro-poor regime intact. This also could be the reason behind chief minister’s friendly overtures towards Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and his party. It is a clever move.
(DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are author’s own and have nothing to do with OTV’s charter or views. OTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Bhubaneswar: Bhartiya Janata Party MPs from the state have made a fervent plea for state government adopting and implementing the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat scheme.
There is no denying the importance of the scheme for the people but residents of the state are being deprived of its benefits because Odisha government has pitted its own Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) against the central project.
The issue has clearly acquired political dimensions with Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) insisting that BSKY is better than Modicare. BJP and BJD had engaged in a verbal duel over the issue even at the time of elections. Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in the course of his campaign in the state had made several appeals to chief minister, Naveen Patnaik to adopt Ayushman Bharat but his pleas fell on deaf ears.
This despite the fact that there are several implementation-related complaints against BSKY. Even though steps are being taken to address these issues the scheme is likely to encounter more teething troubles. Hence Odisha should have no hesitation adopting Ayushman Bharat in the larger interest of the people.
The problem is BJD has its own political compulsions in trying to prove that its health scheme is better than Modicare. It is a regional party that claims to follow a policy of equidistance from BJP and Congress. Even though the party in the last few weeks has supported the BJP-led NDA on some crucial issues and voted alongside it in the parliament it cannot ignore the fact that the saffron party happens to be its main political rival in the state.
The sharp decline of the Congress has boosted BJP’s fortunes in the state where it has emerged as the main opposition party. The saffron party also won eight Lok Sabha seats in the recently held elections. Hence BJD has reasons to treat BJP with caution notwithstanding the current bonhomie between chief minister, Naveen Patnaik and Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
Significantly some of the recent decisions of the Centre have caused acute embarrassment to the state’s BJD government. For example the state government was rattled when the union environment ministry granted a two-year extension for work on the controversial Polavaram project coming up in Andhra Pradesh.
Extension was granted despite Centre being fully aware of Odisha’s objections to the project that threatens to submerge several tribal villages in the state’s Malkangiri district. Even mandatory public hearing for such projects has not been held in Odisha areas likely to be affected by the project.
Chief minister, Naveen Patnaik wrote a letter to the Prime Minister seeking his intervention in the matter and urging him to halt the project till Odisha ‘s concerns are addressed but nothing has happened so far. Considering that Polavaram was also a campaign issue for the BJD in the recent elections Patnaik would want the Centre to take his government’s point of view into consideration and call a halt to the project work.
As far as Polavaram is concerned the Modi government, which lacks a majority in the Rajya Sabha, seems to be under pressure from Andhra Pradesh chief minister, Jagan Mohan Reddy who is pushing the project aggressively. The Prime Minister obviously is not in a mood to annoy Reddy who can be a useful ally despite being non-aligned at the moment like BJD and the Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (TRS). All these three parties appear ready to cooperate with the Centre if the latter grants them their wishes.
On the Polavaram front Jagan seems to have outsmarted Naveen who now will have to think of other ways to protect the interests of the state. This is important because the issue has turned emotive and any failure on the part of Odisha chief minister is likely to be exploited by his opponents.
Yet another setback for Naveen Patnaik government has been the Centre ‘s reluctance to grant Odisha special category state status. Union minister of state for finance, Anurag Thakur recently told the Lok Sabha that the government had no such proposal under its consideration. This issue, too, is politically significant as Patnaik has been raising the demand consistently since coming to power in 2000.
Odisha government ‘s tug of war with the Centre over the Ayushman Bharat Yojana has to be seen in this wider perspective of BJP and BJD’s political rivalry and the mounting pressure on Patnaik to be seen as being successful in safeguarding state’s interests.
(DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are author’s own and have nothing to do with OTV’s charter or views. OTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Bhubaneswar: It is the job of Opposition to criticize but criticism must be constructive and aimed at enhancing the quality of governance. Blind opposition is the biggest threat to democracy. Unfortunately in Odisha certain sections of the Opposition have begun to show this tendency. They find nothing right with the Naveen Patnaik government which has launched a number of pro-people and pro-poor initiatives during the nearly two decades of its un-interrupted rule in the state.
Leaders of both Congress and the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) have launched a tirade against the government’s latest initiative, ‘Mo Sarkar’ aimed at making the administration more accountable and responsive. The chief minister, who has just begun his fifth term at the helm, is determined to implement the programme at all police stations and district headquarters hospitals in the first phase. This will be followed by its execution by various government departments.
As part of the initiative people can expect telephone calls from the chief minister himself to know about the response they have been getting from police stations and the kind of service they have been receiving at the hospitals. His ministers would seek the feedback of people on their experience at government offices.
On the face of it seems to be an excellent initiative that can strengthen the bond between the people and the government. If implemented sincerely it will not only make the administration more responsive but also more responsible. Even if the programme achieves partial success it would be help improve the quality of governance.
Opposition leaders, however, have been quick to train their guns at the government with some taking aim at chief minister, Naveen Patnaik’s Achilles heel—his poor Odia. Taunting the chief minister for his deficient Odia one of them raised doubts over the implementation of the programme. He also found Patnaik’s claims about redressing people’s grievances on the health front untrustworthy as the state government is yet to implement the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat scheme.
Both the criticisms are invalid. We all know that Patnaik’s Odia has been the favourite target of his political opponents who have repeatedly sought to run him down on this issue during the elections. But all such attempts have backfired with people voting the Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD) to power again and again. This proves beyond a shadow of doubt that for the people of the state Patnaik’s governance is much more important than his knowledge of Odia. Besides, we all know that while Patnaik’s Odia is still not good enough for him to deliver a full length speech he can easily converse with the people in the language.
As for the charge of Odisha not having adopted Ayushman Bharat so far it is more of a political issue which BJP has been trying to amplify in the hope of putting pressure on the state government which has steadfastly maintained that its own health scheme, Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), is good enough to take care of the people of the state.
It is time the Opposition changed its attitude and learnt also to look at the positive side of things. Too much negativity is detrimental to the health of democracy.
(DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are author’s own and have nothing to do with OTV’s charter or views. OTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
As per reports, the Private Medical Establishment Forum, state's premier management body of private healthcare institutions has been demanding the state government to expedite the registration process of private hospitals and insurance claims under its various schemes, like Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) for quite some days.
Apart from that, the body has also been demanding the government to change its policy and provide security to the doctors and other staffs of private hospitals in line with the Government hospitals and its doctors.
The delays on part of the government in disbursing the BSKY money have reportedly affected the treatment of the patients adversely, the forum alleged.
Doctor Ajay Kumar Mishra, President All Odisha Private Medical Establishment Forum said, "We have issued an ultimatum to the state government that they should take action within a month otherwise we will be forced to take stringent measures like shutting all the private medicals down."
Meanwhile, justifying the demands, the Odisha wing of Indian Medical Association has also come out in support of the forum.
"The forum has the right to take up their demands to every level and if the government still ignores it, we will fully support their strike," said Dr. Janmanjaya Mohapatra, Secretary of IMA, Odisha Wing.
Indramani Jena, Secretary of the All Odisha Private Medical Establishment Forum (AOPMEF) informed that all the nursing homes stopped providing medical services under BSKY citing pending dues to the tune of Rs 25-30 crore to the hospitals since 2017. The Forum also mentioned that the nursing home association has expressed displeasure over failing to meet Odisha Health Minister Naba Kishore Das in this regard.
Jena said, "Before the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, Rastriya Swasthya Bima Yojana was functional in the State. The State government had then signed an MoU stating that funds would be provided within 15 days. However, the pending dues in every establishment now amounts to Rs 20-30 lakh. And the total pending dues could be over Rs 30 crore, we are not sure. Accordingly, we had written to the State government requesting them to clear the dues and revise the cost. The government seems to be least bothered to hold discussion in this regard."
"For the time being, we have stopped the services under BSKY, but we have requested the government to address the issues for a resumption. We do not want to trouble the patients," added Jena.
In a letter to Odisha Health Minister Naba Kishore Das, President of AOPMEF Ajoy Mishra mentioned, "Several applications for renewal/fresh registration of clinical establishments are pending with the government. Lack of decisive steps, absence of definite rules and guidelines for a long time and in-coordination among multiple government departments have resulted in this unprecedented situation."
"It was therefore decided to withdraw from insurance-based health schemes of the State forthwith for the time being. Considering the urgency, we seek your appointment with a joint delegation of AOPMEF and Indian Medical Association, Odisha at an early date so that registration as well as two other major issues of clinical establishments can be addressed within a fixed time frame," stated Mishra in the letter to Health Minister.
The District Palliative Care Programme (DPCP) facility will be available in all district headquarter hospitals and Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela Government Hospital.
"Palliative Care Programme will play a significant role in realisation of the motto of our government 'Sustha Odisha, Sukhi Odisha (Healthy Odisha, Happy Odisha)," Patnaik said at the launch of the DPCP at Lok Seva Bhawan through video conferencing with district collectors and Chief District Medical Officers (CDMOs).
Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness.
Under the programme, several in-patient services will be provided. The in-patient service includes free specialist consultation, training to caregiver, free drugs and consumables, free physiotherapy counselling, spiritual healing, emergency care service, nutrition support and patient follow up.
The out-patient service will include regular consultation by trained medical staff (primary, secondary and tertiary health care service), training to caregivers, free drugs and consumables, free physiotherapy service counselling to patients and family, referral to higher health facilities.
"It has been decided to start home-based palliative care in Nabarangpur district within the next two months, which will be scaled up to all the districts. Subsequently, palliative care service will be available for terminally ill patients suffering from chronic kidney diseases, stroke, cardiovascular disease, hemiplegia, paralysis, HIV/AIDS," Patnaik said
Under the Palliative Care Programme, a six-bed palliative care unit will be established in each district headquarters hospitals to provide facility-based palliative care service. Ten districts have already been provided with Rs 10.25 lakh each for infrastructure development, an official said.
So far, 39 medical officers and 42 staff nurses have already been trained in palliative care who will provide the service in 30 district headquarters hospitals, Capital Hospital and Rourkela Government Hospital, the official said.
In May, 2017, the chief minister had launched the District Cancer Care Programme under which more than 30,000 cancer patients have received consultation and 14,000 patients have received chemotherapy cycles in District Day Care Cancer Chemotherapy Centres.
The state government has been providing 86 types of anti-cancer drugs free of cost and all investigations are being provided free of cost to all cancer patients under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, the official added.
Union Health Minister Harshvardhan today informed Lok Sabha that the Ayushman Bharat Yojana comprises two components - (I) Provision of Comprehensive Primary Healthcare through Ayushman Bharat- Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWC) and (II) Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
Besides, while replying to a questioned raised by Nuapada MP Basant Panda, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Ashwini Kumar Choubey said that Odisha government has not signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of AB-PMJAY.
Meanwhile, BJP today targeted the Odisha government for accepting one component of the Central scheme while shunning the other. "The reply of the Union Health Minister has exposed the real face of the State government," said Odisha BJP vice-president, Samir Mohanty.
In a federal structure, states and Centre take up several programmes jointly and this is one of such programmes. It shouldn't be linked to Ayushman Bharat, he added.
On the other hand, the Odisha government is yet to release the pending funds under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana to privately-owned medical establishments in the State. Following a warning from the All Odisha Private Medical Establishment Forum, the government has reportedly assured to release funds as early as possible. "We hope that the funds will be released soon as the Health Minister himself has given assurance," said Indramani Jena, secretary of the forum.
"We are looking into it. They will definitely get the money. I have also instructed the department to look into other aspects as to how the money can be released early and people can get uninterrupted coverage," said Minister Das.
The move assumes significance as the Odisha government has already started the process of preparing a database of senior citizens, people aged above 45 years and those with other comorbidities for vaccination in the next round of COVID-19 vaccine roll-out on March 1.
In a letter to Union Health Ministry Secretary Rajesh Bhusan, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) PK Mohapatra has urged the latter to grant the necessary permission in this regard.
It is pertinent to mention here that private hospitals empanelled under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) have been allowed as Covid-19 vaccination sites by the Centre.
However, Odisha has not adopted the AB-PMJAY which has now emerged as a hurdle in getting permission for private hospitals in the State to start the COVID-19 vaccination drive.
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“As Odisha has not adopted the AB-PMJAY, it is requested that the 183 private hospitals empanelled under our State Health Assurance Scheme- Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) may be kindly allowed to be registered as COVID-19 vaccination session sites,” stated Mohapatra in the letter.
As per plans, the elderly and comorbid people will be administered vaccines following registration as per the guidelines laid down by the Centre. The vaccination centres will be prepared as per the number of beneficiaries who will register their names to take part in the drive.
While vaccination will be free of cost in government hospitals, the prices of vaccination in private hospitals will be fixed by the Centre, said DMET Director CBK Mohanty.
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