JP Nadda Confident West Bengal Will Soon Join Ayushman Bharat, Completing Nationwide Health Scheme Rollout

Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Friday expressed confidence that West Bengal — the only state yet to adopt the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) — would soon be part of the nationwide implementation of the scheme.

At a special function, Nadda launched the AB PM-JAY along with Odisha’s own Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) and the Ayushman Vayo-Vandana Yojana (AVVY), extending health benefits to millions.

From Resistance to Rollout: Odisha and Delhi Join In

Nadda noted that three states had initially resisted the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme. However, he said two — Odisha and Delhi — adopted the scheme after the BJP came to power in those states.

He remarked that political opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s welfare programs had cost some governments dearly.

“The BJP returned to power in Delhi after more than 26 years and people rejected the BJD government in Odisha. The scheme was immediately implemented in both the states. The people of West Bengal will also enjoy the benefits soon,” Nadda said.

Connecting Millions in Odisha with Ayushman Bharat

Highlighting the scale of the program, Nadda said AB PM-JAY is the world’s largest health coverage initiative and will benefit 1.03 crore families and 3.51 crore people in Odisha.

“The BJP in its election manifesto had assured implementation of Ayushman Bharat Yojana and the double-engine government has succeeded in implementing it in just 10 months,” he said.

Calling it an assurance rather than an insurance scheme, he added, “In the previous scheme, the insurance companies were deciding disease for cashless treatment but under Ayushman Bharat, doctors of 30,000 hospitals across the country will provide free treatment.”

Nationwide Impact of the Scheme

According to Nadda, over 8.19 crore people have already availed treatment under the scheme and ₹1.26 lakh crore has been spent to ensure quality healthcare for the people.

He mentioned that 61 crore people are now covered and out-of-pocket health expenditure has dropped from 62% to 38%.

CM Majhi: Odisha Now Part of National Health Movement

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasized the inclusive nature of the scheme. “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ayushman Bharat scheme is benefiting people across the nation, especially the poor and underprivileged sections. The people of Odisha will now join them and get free healthcare. Odia people residing outside the state will also get the benefits. They can avail the facility in the hospitals outside the state,” he said.

Healthcare Infrastructure on the Rise

Majhi highlighted that more than 4,000 doctors have been appointed, and 5,000 more appointments are underway. “The state government is aiming to establish medical college and hospital in all districts across the state,” he added.

Senior Leaders Attend Scheme Launch

Union Minister Jual Oram, Deputy Chief Ministers Pravati Parida and KV Singh Deo, MPs Bhartruhari Mahtab, Baijayant Panda, Bibhu Tarai, and several MLAs were present at the event.

JP Nadda arrived in Odisha for a two-day visit. He was received at Biju Patnaik International Airport by Chief Minister Majhi, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi, and local MLA Babu Singh.

BJP’s Health Push in Odisha After Six Years

Nadda’s visit holds importance as Odisha’s BJP government moves forward with implementing Ayushman Bharat — six years after its national rollout. The earlier BJD government had declined to implement the scheme, reportedly due to political reasons.

After a brief rest at the state guest house, Nadda proceeded to Cuttack to officially launch AB PM-JAY, AVVY, and GJAY, accompanied by CM Majhi.

He also inaugurated the new building of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Pediatrics in Cuttack.

Additional Initiatives and Eligibility Criteria

During his visit, Nadda is also scheduled to visit AIIMS Bhubaneswar and the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology (CIPET).

On Saturday morning, he will inaugurate a three-day training session for all BJP MPs and MLAs in Puri, which will run from April 11 to April 13.

According to official data, about 3.5 crore people are expected to benefit from the schemes launched.

Expanding Coverage and Benefits

Beneficiaries will now receive free, cashless treatment at 29,000 private and government hospitals, compared to just 900 earlier.

Under AVVY, every individual aged 70 and above, regardless of income, is eligible for coverage. Each family will receive up to ₹5 lakh in health insurance, with an additional ₹5 lakh for female beneficiaries. If a family has a member over 70, the total health coverage will increase to ₹15 lakh.

Last month, the state cabinet allocated ₹27,019 crore for implementing Ayushman Bharat and GJAY over five years.