The Odisha government has taken several key decisions to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in the state, according to an official statement issued on Wednesday.
The decisions were taken by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi during a high-level review meeting of various programmes being implemented by the Health and Family Welfare (H&FW) Department, held in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
As per the Chief Minister’s decision, the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) will initially be implemented as a pilot project in Kendujhar district. Based on an assessment of its performance and outcomes, the digital mission will subsequently be expanded across the state. Under ABDM, key healthcare services such as appointment booking, referrals, follow-ups and other related processes will be carried out through digital platforms.
The ABDM initiative aims to build a nationwide digital health ecosystem, enabling citizens to use unique Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs to securely access and share health records, while connecting patients, doctors, laboratories and pharmacies for seamless and continuous care.
According to the statement, the state government expects the initiative to significantly reduce patient waiting time and ensure optimal utilisation of healthcare infrastructure.
In another major decision, CM Majhi announced that Diplomate of National Board (DNB) courses will be introduced at all District Headquarters Hospitals (DHHs) to enhance the skills and expertise of doctors. The state government said the initiative will allow doctors to undergo practical and clinical training and pursue specialisation while continuing to serve at the district level.
To promote Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) medicine across the state, the Chief Minister directed that AYUSH doctors should prescribe only Ayurvedic medicines and refrain from prescribing allopathic drugs.
He further instructed that Ayurvedic and Homeopathic medicines be made available at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs to prioritise and strengthen AYUSH healthcare services in Odisha.
–IANS
