Odisha Government has announced free medicines for all diseases to all patients at all government hospitals across the state. A decision to this effect was taken at the seventh meeting of the State Health Mission presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday. Naveen told mediapersons after the meeting that medicines for all the diseases will be made available in Government hospitals. Out of 328 types of medicines, only 38 types of medicines are available in Government institutions now.
This apart, beds at the four district headquarters hospitals — Kendrapara, Jharsuguda, Malkangiri and Dhenkanal — will be increased from 100 to 300. The state government has also recognised contribution of the Accredited Social Health Workers, women health volunteers working at the grassroots level. All the 38,000 workers will now be covered under the National Pension Scheme. As part of the scheme, the government will contribute Rs 1,000 every year for each worker. The government also plans to establish intensive care units at 12 district headquarters hospitals and Capital Hospital.
