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, a central team arrived here on Wednesday to finalise the modalities for its integration with the state-funded Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana. The three-member team led by CEO of National Health Authority 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. While GJAY provides annual cashless treatment of Rs 5 lakh per family and additional Rs 5 lakh for women beneficiaries, AB-PMJAY offers health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per annum. The differences between the two schemes - one being a health assurance model and the other based on insurance, and the provision of additional `5 lakh for women beneficiaries - were major challenges behind the delay in rollout of AB-PMJAY. After a detailed discussion with health officials, the central team also met chief secretary Manoj Ahuja before holding a separate meeting with Health and Family Welfare minister Mukesh Mahaling to resolve the challenges surrounding the seamless merger of the two healthcare schemes.