Bhubaneswar: Odisha Health and Family Welfare Committee has taken significant steps to improve healthcare services in the state. The 22nd Steering Committee meeting, chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, reviewed the implementation of decisions taken in the previous meeting and discussed major health initiatives and achievements, including the National Health Mission and State Budget Plan.
At the beginning of the meeting, the implementation of the decisions taken in the 21st meeting was discussed. Health Department Commissioner and Secretary Ashwati S, Mission Director of National Health Mission, Odisha Dr. Brunda D, Director of Health Department and other senior officials of various departments who are members of the committee were present and participated in the discussion. Major health-related initiatives and achievements, including the National Health Mission and the State Budget Plan, were discussed in the meeting.
The meeting informed that a comprehensive primary health care service programme has been implemented through the Health Department through “Ayushman Arogya Mandir”. Since August 2024, 82,470 Ayushman camps have been held and 5.4 lakh people have been served. A record number of more than one crore people joined the camps in Odisha under the “Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar” campaign. 5,843 special camps were organised in Odisha, including 1.02 lakh health camps, in which more than 25.38 lakh people were screened for high blood pressure and diabetes and 9.64 lakh people were diagnosed with cancer, consulted and received appropriate treatment.
Free medical tests are being arranged from medical colleges and hospitals to various health centres through the ‘Nidan’ program. The meeting discussed in detail the Nidan ‘CT Scan’ and MRI Scan system, free dialysis services under the ‘Sahaya’ program, and free medicine services. 49,726 ASHA workers are deployed in the state. 866 emergency ambulance services and 500 Janani Express are operational under the National Ambulance Service. The meeting discussed in detail about the National Sickle Cell Anemia Eradication Mission program, health-related programs in Akankshi blocks. The program under the National Urban Health Mission has been successfully implemented and has received the Odisha Kayakalp Award in the year 2024-25. The meeting discussed the ongoing work of building new health infrastructure in the state, district, community health centers, primary health centers, etc.
The Pradhan Mantri Janajati Adivasi Nyay Maha Abhiyan (PMJANMAN) has been implemented in 1751 villages in 55 blocks of 15 districts of the state and about 3.10 lakh people of this group are benefiting from it. As many as 122 mobile health units are being implemented in PVTG districts and 51 mobile health units are being implemented in 55 PVTG districts. Under the Dharti Aba Janajaniya Gram Akhtar Abhiyan (DAJUGA) campaign, 7,34,415 people in 7,667 villages in 234 blocks of 27 districts are being provided primary screening and treatment facilities for various diseases through Medical Health Units.
Chief Secretary Ahuja appreciated the steps taken for health services in the state and directed taking necessary measures to further improve quality health services as per the goals of the state government, conduct regular reviews for outstanding performance in important health services, prioritise the examination and treatment of patients.
