BHUBANESWAR/KORAPUT: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday handed over the first smart health card under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) to Sukri Dhangda Majhi — member of the primitive Bonda tribe — at a programme in Malkangiri district, marking the beginning of a new phase in the state government’s efforts to bring healthcare to the marginalised and the poor.
While the BSKY was originally launched on August 15, 2018, covering around 71 lakh families, the government now aims to include a total of 96 lakh households (around 3.5 crore people) under the expanded scheme to be implemented from September 1.
The state government decided to expand the health assurance scheme ignoring frequent pleas by opposition BJP to implement the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat scheme. Addressing a gathering, Naveen said every life is precious. He reiterated that financial constraints should not be an obstacle for anyone in getting quality healthcare.
“Under the revised scheme, the beneficiaries won’t have to produce any document at the hospitals to avail its benefit. S/he can simply go to a hospital with the smart card and avail cashless treatment without any hassle. It is the first of its kind in the entire country,” said Naveen, making his first outing outside the state capital since the second wave of Covid struck.
The chief minister said it is a paradigm shift in India’s healthcare service system where a patient can get the best of treatment without spending any money. While the card allows each family to avail free treatment up to Rs 5 lakh per annum, women members can avail benefits up to Rs 10 lakh annually in more than 200 hospitals in and outside Odisha.
“Healthcare is crucial for all. It is said that health is wealth. We often get worried about arranging funds for treatment if anyone in the family falls sick. At times people have to sell property or opt for loan while others are forced to stop their child’s education to pay hospital dues,” said Naveen, adding, “The smart health card will reduce the burden on families to bear treatment cost. People can spend their savings on education of their children and for other household expenses.”
Around 1.55 lakh smart cards will be distributed in Malkangiri alone for which nearly half a dozen ministers and senior BJD leaders will camp in Malkangiri district for the next few days.
