Central team in Odisha for integration of GJAY, AB-PMJAY

BHUBANESWAR : With the Odisha government all set to sign an MoU for implementation of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), a central team arrived here on Wednesday to finalise the modalities for its integration with the state-funded Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY).

The three-member team led by CEO of National Health Authority (NHA) LS Changsan held discussions with the state’s Health and Family Welfare secretary Aswathy S, mission director of NHM Dr Brundha D and senior officials about the process to integrate both the schemes. Sources said the integration will adopt an assurance-based model, differing from PMJAY’s existing framework, to minimise disruption to beneficiaries. Card holders will not have to worry about the mode of operation and they will continue to get health coverage like before.

Under the new arrangement, a single health card will be issued to each eligible beneficiary, consolidating the benefits of both the schemes. Women will continue to receive additional health coverage of up to `5 lakh as part of the initiative, the sources said.