Bhubaneswar, Aug. 14 (UDN): The Odisha government has tightened the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana–Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY-GJAY) and directed all empanelled hospitals to ensure round-the-clock assistance for beneficiaries.
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Under the new directive, every empanelled hospital must establish a 24×7 AB-PMJAY Help Desk at a prominent location near its main entrance. Hospitals have also been asked to deploy an adequate number of Pradhan Mantri Arogya Mitras (PMAMs) to ensure uninterrupted services.
The Arogya Mitras will assist beneficiaries in identifying and registering Ayushman cardholders, provide information about available treatment facilities and help patients access benefits under the scheme.
Free Emergency Treatment Under PM-RAHAT
The help desks will also facilitate beneficiaries seeking free emergency treatment under PM-RAHAT, ensuring that eligible patients can receive timely assistance without facing difficulties in accessing scheme-related services.
The hospitals have additionally been directed to comply with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) guidelines.
August 31 Deadline for Digital Integration
During a recent review meeting on the implementation of the schemes in private hospitals, Brundha D, CEO of the State Health Assurance Society (SHAS), directed empanelled hospitals to complete the integration of four key systems with ABDM software by August 31.
The systems include:
Hospital Management Information System (HMIS)
ABHA-linked patient medical records
Healthcare Facility Registry
Health Professional Registry
The move is aimed at strengthening digital health records, improving coordination between healthcare facilities and making beneficiary services more efficient.
Government Issues Stern Warning
The government has warned hospitals that failure to meet the prescribed requirements could have financial and administrative consequences.
Hospitals that fail to complete the mandatory digital integration within the deadline may have their Ayushman scheme incentives withheld. Continued non-compliance could also lead to their removal from the empanelment list, officials warned.
Focus on Better Beneficiary Services
The latest measures are intended to ensure that Ayushman cardholders receive timely information, assistance and treatment benefits at empanelled hospitals without unnecessary hurdles.
With mandatory 24×7 help desks, trained Arogya Mitras and stricter digital compliance, the government aims to make the implementation of AB-PMJAY-GJAY more accessible, transparent and beneficiary-friendly across Odisha.
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