Finance
The state government has incorporated 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, which will significantly improve cancer care in Odisha.
The amendment, approved by the National Health Authority (NHA), aims to ensure that cancer patients insured by the state’s integrated health insurance program receive fast, quality, and cashless care.
The AB-PMJAY and GJAY were inaugurated together in Odisha on April 11, 2025, with 2,163 treatment packages. With the addition of 91 additional cancer-specific packages, the overall number of cancer therapy packages has risen to 545, while the overall treatment package count under the scheme has risen to 2,254.
The state government stated that early detection and treatment are critical in cancer management, which frequently necessitates complex multi-specialty operations. Keeping this in mind, the Odisha government launched the Mukhyamantri Cancer Care Abhiyan on the advice of experts and allocated approximately Rs 311 crore for the project.
After receiving clearance from the National Health Authority, the 91 products have been added to the AB-PMJAY-GJAY package master as unique state-specific packages. All empanelled hospitals have been directed to give free care under the newly additional packages.
Many patients have already benefited from the extended coverage. Aryabhanu Mohanty, a 32-year-old native of Kuakhua village in Jajpur district, had successful testicular cancer surgery at Bagchi Shankara Hospital in Bhubaneswar last week and is recovering well.
In another case, 62-year-old Jyotsnarani Mohanty of Jagannathpur in Bhadrak municipality got successful uterine cancer treatment through the initiative. She is likely to be released from the hospital within the following two days.
The beneficiaries thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling for providing access to free super-specialty cancer treatment through extended health coverage.
