Bhubaneswar, Jul 20: Odisha government is set to launch the ambitious Chief Minister Cancer Care Scheme, aimed at providing comprehensive treatment and support to cancer patients across the state.

In the current budget, a massive allocation of ₹311 crore has been sanctioned to strengthen cancer care facilities. As part of the initiative, 11 cancer centres are being established in medical colleges and hospitals across the state.

Construction work has already been completed at Bargarh Hospital, while progress continues at Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar. In Balasore, construction has just begun.

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To ensure advanced treatment, modern testing and diagnostic machines have been procured, marking a significant step toward accessible healthcare.

Under this scheme, patients will receive 121 types of free medicines, including several essential drugs. This provision is expected to bring immense relief to economically weaker sections, who often struggle with the high cost of cancer treatment.

Digital Integration

The Government has planned for a dedicated mobile application, which will store complete patient records, linked with the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID.

This will allow doctors across government and private hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, pharmacies, and blood banks to access patient histories seamlessly.

Currently, ABHA-linked treatment is available only at AIIMS Bhubaneswar. However, once the app integrates all medical institutions statewide, patients will benefit from a unified system.

Through the app, patients can also locate nearby Jan Aushadhi centres, blood banks, and medical facilities, making healthcare more accessible.

Registration for ABHA IDs has already begun. Patients can generate their ID by entering Aadhaar and mobile numbers on the ABHA website. Once registered, they can link their ID with the Aarogya Setu app and store prescriptions securely in DigiLocker.