Bhubaneswar: In a major boost to cancer care in Odisha, the state government has added 91 new state-specific treatment packages under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)-Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) package master as part of the Mukhyamantri Cancer Care Abhiyan.
The addition, approved by the National Health Authority (NHA), is aimed at ensuring timely, quality and cashless treatment for cancer patients covered under the integrated health insurance scheme in the state.
The AB-PMJAY and GJAY were launched in an integrated manner in Odisha on April 11, 2025, with 2,163 treatment packages. Following the inclusion of the 91 new cancer-specific packages, the total number of cancer treatment packages has increased to 545, while the overall treatment package count under the scheme has risen to 2,254.
The state government said early diagnosis and timely treatment play a crucial role in controlling cancer, which often requires complex multi-specialty procedures. Keeping this in view, the Odisha government had launched the Mukhyamantri Cancer Care Abhiyan on the recommendation of experts and earmarked around Rs 311 crore for the initiative.
After securing approval from the National Health Authority, the 91 packages have now been incorporated into the AB-PMJAY-GJAY package master as special state-specific packages. All empanelled hospitals have been directed to provide free treatment under these newly added packages.
The expanded coverage has already benefited several patients. Aryabhanu Mohanty, a 32-year-old resident of Kuakhua village in Jajpur district, successfully underwent surgery for testicular cancer at Bagchi Shankara Hospital in Bhubaneswar last week and is recovering well.
In another case, 62-year-old Jyotsnarani Mohanty from Jagannathpur in Bhadrak municipality underwent successful surgery for uterine cancer under the scheme. She is expected to be discharged from the hospital within the next two days.
The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling for facilitating access to free super-specialty cancer treatment through the expanded health coverage.
