Recently, PM Modi announced a nationwide lockdown for three weeks to resist the spread of COVID-19. Meanwhile, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in India has touched the 650 mark, out of which 13 people have succumbed to death.
A couple of days back, Subroto Bagchi, COVID-19 chief spokesperson, outlined a worrying picture for the state pointing at the lack of healthcare facilities and the challenge ahead if the virus spreads.
Meanwhile, the Centre has announced to include COVID-19 treatment under the Ayushman Bharat PMJAY scheme. Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, launched on 23 September 2018, is a flagship scheme of the Indian government’s National Health Policy which aims to provide free health coverage at the secondary and tertiary level to its bottom 40% poor and vulnerable population.
Considering its importance in the current scenario, Dharmendra Pradhan, the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, requested Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to implement the Ayushman Bharat Yojana in the state. This request by Pradhan was made publicly on twitter where he tagged Patnaik requesting him to implement the union scheme in Odisha.
“In wake of the global pandemic and the rising number of coronavirus cases, I request Shri @Naveen_Odisha to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Odisha for the benefit of the people to strengthen the fight against #COVID-19 further,” Pradhan wrote in his tweet.
As the scheme covers testing and isolation charges for COVID-19 in any registered private hospital, Pradhan believes it can be hugely beneficial for the people of Odisha.
Currently, about 70 lakh families in Odisha are covered under the state’s Biju Swastya Kalyan Yojana.