BSKY Nabin Card Launched by CM Naveen Patnaik, 1.1 Crore Beneficiaries to Get Free Medical Facilities

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced the expansion of the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) during the launch of the BSKY Nabin Card. Emphasizing the commitment to “Sustha Odisha, Sukhi Odisha,” the initiative aims to achieve universal health coverage in the state.

In the first phase, all public health facility services became free for everyone. Subsequently, the second phase introduced cashless healthcare in private facilities for ration card holders. Currently, over 45 lakh individuals benefit from free healthcare monthly in public facilities, while 1.3 lakh receive cashless healthcare, costing Rs 260 crore monthly for empanelled private hospitals.

The BSKY has already provided cashless healthcare of about Rs 4,500 crore in private hospitals to nearly 21 lakh patients over the past five years. Chief Minister Patnaik highlighted the unique model’s success, blending public and private sector strengths.

The third phase extends BSKY to cover all rural families in Odisha, excluding government employees and income tax payees not currently covered. The “BSKY Nabin Card” offers cashless care of Rs 5 lakh per annum (Rs 10 lakh for women) for critical illnesses in empanelled private hospitals, benefiting over 1.10 crore families, nearly 90% of the state’s population.