THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, AUGUST 5, 2026
Odisha has significantly expanded cashless cancer treatment
under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana
(AB-PMJAY)-Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) by introducing 91 new
state-specific treatment packages, taking the total number of oncology packages
under the scheme to 545, officials said on Wednesday.
The newly added packages, approved by the National Health
Authority (NHA), have been incorporated into the integrated AB-PMJAY-GJAY
package master under the Mukhyamantri Cancer Care Abhiyan to ensure timely,
quality and cashless treatment for cancer patients across the state.
The AB-PMJAY and GJAY were launched in an integrated manner
in Odisha on April 11, 2025, with 2,163 treatment packages. With 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.
According to the state government, early diagnosis and timely
treatment are crucial in effectively tackling cancer, which often requires
complex multi-specialty interventions. In view of the growing burden of the
disease, the Odisha government launched the Mukhyamantri Cancer Care Abhiyan on
the recommendation of experts and earmarked around Rs 311 crore for the
initiative.
Following approval from the National Health Authority, the
newly introduced 91 treatment packages have been incorporated into the
AB-PMJAY-GJAY package master as special state-specific packages. The government
has directed all empanelled hospitals to provide free treatment to eligible
beneficiaries under these newly added packages.
The expanded package coverage has already started benefiting
patients across the state.
Among the beneficiaries is 32-year-old Aryabhanu Mohanty of
Kuakhua village in Jajpur district, who successfully underwent surgery for
testicular cancer at Bagchi Shankara Hospital in Bhubaneswar last week. He is
recovering well, officials said.
In another case, 62-year-old Jyotsnarani Mohanty of
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, Odisha 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.
Officials said the inclusion of the additional treatment packages is expected to significantly strengthen cancer care delivery in Odisha by improving access to advanced treatment, reducing the financial burden on patients and ensuring that more beneficiaries receive quality healthcare without out-of-pocket expenditure.
