Bhubaneswar: In a major push to boost cancer care, the Odisha government has rolled out 91 additional treatment packages under the integrated Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY) as part of the Chief Minister's Cancer Care Programme.
With this expansion, the total number of packages available under the two schemes has risen from 2,163 to 2,254, ensuring advanced and affordable treatment options for patients while easing their financial burden. Cancer care often involves costly diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and other interventions - expenses that the government aims to cover comprehensively.
Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling announced that Rs 311 crore has been earmarked in the 2026-27 budget to support free cancer treatment, community awareness drives, mobile screening camps, a digital hub-and-spoke healthcare model, and free patient transport. Directions have already been issued to empanelled hospitals to provide treatment under the approved packages, with many patients reportedly benefiting already.
Officials confirmed that a total of 121 cancer treatment packages are now available under the Ayushman Bharat-Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, including the newly introduced ones. The initiative is expected to significantly reduce cancer-related mortality and financial stress across Odisha.