A national-level Chintan Shivir on the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jana Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) was inaugurated on Monday by Odisha’s Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Parliamentary Affairs, and Electronics & Information Technology, Mukesh Mahaling, at Swosti Premium.
According to media reports, Mahaling said that nearly 42 per cent of India’s economically weaker population has been brought under the Ayushman Bharat healthcare framework. He noted that the scheme was launched in Odisha on April 11, 2025, and within nine months of its rollout, the state ranked first in the distribution of AB-PMJAY cards to eligible beneficiaries. Odisha also secured the fifth position nationally in the issuance of Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana (AVVY) cards for senior citizens aged 70 years and above.
Mahaling highlighted that in Odisha, AB-PMJAY has been implemented in convergence with the state’s Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana (GJAY). Under the converged scheme, each beneficiary family is entitled to cashless treatment of up to ₹5 lakh annually, with an additional ₹5 lakh coverage for female members. Senior citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their economic status, are also eligible for similar benefits under AVVY. As a result, nearly 80 per cent of Odisha’s total population of 4.5 crore has been covered under the integrated healthcare scheme.
He further suggested that the Chintan Shivir could deliberate on the inclusion of Ayurvedic and homeopathic treatment packages under AB-PMJAY, alongside existing allopathic services. The minister added that Odisha has initiated the implementation of ABDM in parallel with AB-PMJAY, in alignment with the guidelines issued by the National Health Authority (NHA).
Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Odisha, Aswathy S., delivered the welcome address on the first day of the conclave. The event saw participation from CEO, NHA, Sunil Kumar Barnwal; Principal Secretary (Health), Rajasthan, Gayatri Rathore; Principal Secretary (Health), Meghalaya, Sampath Kumar; Financial Advisor, NHA, Ghayas Uddin Ahmed; and Managing Director, ABDM, Kiran Gopal Vaska. A total of 119 delegates and senior officials from 27 states and seven Union Territories took part in the deliberations.
The national event was coordinated by Mission Director, NHM Odisha, and CEO, State Health Assurance Society, Dr Brudha D., with Odisha serving as the host state.
