Bhubaneswar: The healthcare sector in Odisha is undergoing a major transformation today. Under the aegis of 5T Initiatives, there has been a turnaround in the state’s healthcare delivery mechanism. Along with the development of hospital infrastructure, the service delivery mechanism has also been streamlined in order to provide hassle free health services to all. Odisha’s commitment for universal free healthcare crossed another mile stone when it became the first state in the country to introduce Smart Health Cards for all the beneficiaries under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana.
The Biju Swasthya Kalyana Yojana, Odisha’s flagship scheme to provide free and advanced healthcare to more than three and half crore people of the state has been hailed as the best scheme the country has today. Making it more effective and efficient, the government has gone a step ahead and launched Smart Health Cards for all the beneficiaries. The complete digitization of the BSKY yojana will help in speedy delivery of healthcare services without losing the crucial time that was otherwise spent in documentation process and moving from one hospital to another. Inclusion of technology will also bring in transparency in the process and further plan the strategy.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced the Smart Health Card scheme on Independence Day this year and inaugurated the distribution of the scheme from Malkangiri District last week. The Smart Health Card will be a game changer in providing health insurance to the beneficiaries in and outside the state. People of Malkangiri are elated to get the service first in their district. The tribal inhabited district people can now go to any of the government hospitals of the empanelled private hospitals both in Odisha or neighbouring districts without any tension.
Expressing her happiness for the Smart Health Card issued recently, Rukmani Hantal of Andrahal Gram Panchayat says that, she is indebted to the Chief Minister for introducing the smart cards. “Now there is no need for me to worry for medical emergencies. I can show my BSKY card and take immediate treatment at the hospitals. Otherwise, I had to collect all my documents and go to the officials for treatment approval. It’s like possessing a god given gift for my family.”
Budai Sisha also shares a similar view regarding the Smart Card. She says, “I have seen people from my village going to Bhubaneswar or Visakhapatnam in cases of emergencies. They earlier faced many problems arranging for documents and that took much time. Now that the government has issued us the Smart cards, there will not be delay in treatment. Now we do not need to give any money at hospitals. Even in Visakhapatnam also we can have free treatment if needed. I thank the government and Chief Minister for their caring towards us.”
These are not the only reactions coming from Malkangiri after the launching of the Smart Cards. People from all walks of life have welcomed the step. With just the swipe of the smart card, they can get treatment at their hospital of choice. This is going to usher in a revolution in the healthcare space and the lives of common people.
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