Healthcare / PMJAY-GJAY Boost: Odisha Adds 91 New Cancer Care Packages

Bhubaneswar, Aug 6: Odisha has taken a major step to strengthen cancer treatment facilities across the state, ensuring that patients no longer suffer due to financial constraints.

Under the Mukhyamantri Cancer Care Campaign, the state government has added 91 new cancer treatment packages to the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY).

Previously, 2,163 treatment packages were available under these integrated schemes. With the inclusion of the new cancer-specific packages, the total number has now risen to 2,254.

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The expansion aims to provide comprehensive coverage for cancer patients, including early detection, advanced diagnostic tests, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and multi-disciplinary treatment approaches.

Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling announced that the government has earmarked ₹311 crore in the 2026-27 budget to support cancer care.

The funds will be utilized for awareness campaigns, mobile health camps, digital hubs, spoke-model healthcare delivery, and free transportation facilities for patients. All empaneled hospitals in the state have been directed to provide cashless treatment services under these packages.

The government has emphasized that cancer treatment is often prohibitively expensive for ordinary citizens. By expanding the package list, Odisha aims to ensure equitable access to quality healthcare. Already, several patients have begun availing the benefits of the newly added packages.

The PMJAY-GJAY scheme, a joint initiative of the central and state governments, provides annual health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family, with an additional ₹5 lakh exclusively for women members. This coverage includes surgeries, hospitalization, dialysis, and cancer treatment, among other critical services.

Odisha has also included 121 cancer-related packages under the scheme, of which 91 have been newly added. The initiative reflects the government’s commitment to expanding healthcare infrastructure and reducing the financial burden on families battling life-threatening diseases.