Free diagnostic services in public health facilities in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government launched new schemes for providing better healthcare services, including free diagnostic services to patients in public health facilities from January 1, 2018.

The schemes - Nidan (free of cost diagnostic services), Sahaya (free dialysis service), Ama Clinic (urban health facility) and Anmol (computer tablet for ANMs) - were formally unveiled by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

"The state government is committed to provide the best healthcare service to citizens, especially the poor and needy," Patnaik said.

Under the Nidan scheme, the state government will provide free identified diagnostic services from January 1, 2018.

In addition to that, it will also provide high-end pathology tests like digital X-Ray, CT-scan and MRI free of cost in government health facilities under the PPP mode by March, 2018.

The Sahaya programme will offer free dialysis treatment from January 1 next year.

"127 dialysis machines will be installed in PPP mode in five district headquarter hospitals, and one at Narasinghapur Community Health Centre in Cuttack district by March, 2018," the chief minister said.

The state government has made a five-year budgetary provision of about Rs 600 crore towards the schemes.

In a bid to provide better healthcare in urban areas, the Odisha government has decided to ensure fixed-day specialist consultations in obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, medicine, geriatrics, eye care, physiotherapy and psychiatric services.

An urban population of over 45 lakh in 27 cities and towns will be benefited under this programme, he said.

Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) engaged in different health care activities will also be given equipment like Anmol tablet computers for real-time services to beneficiaries, especially pregnant women, mothers and newborns.

Patnaik appreciated the efforts of collectors of Kalahandi, Keonjhar, Nabarangpur and Bolangir districts for reducing infant mortality rate (IMR) and maternal mortality rate (MMR), under the Sampurna scheme.

"In the Collectors Conference in 2016, I had announced a cash award of Rs 2 crore for achieving highest performance in reducing the IMR and MMR," he said.