The implementation of Ayushman Bharat healthcare scheme in Odisha is drawing criticism as patients across the State continue to face serious difficulties in availing treatment, sources said on Wednesday.

Also Read: Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to be piloted in Keonjhar: Odisha CM

While the government claims that a large section of the population has been brought under the scheme, beneficiaries allege that technical problems, low package allocations and refusal by private hospitals are defeating the purpose of the programme.

One such case is that of Purushottam Banjara, a resident of Jharigaon in Nabarangpur district. Bedridden after a serious accident three years ago, Purushottam has reportedly been running from one hospital to another in search of treatment.

Though the patient possesses an Ayushman card issued under the government healthcare scheme, he claims that it has brought little relief.

According to allegations, around five months ago, Purushottam had travelled to a private hospital in Raipur for treatment under the scheme. However, only about Rs 14,000 was reportedly covered through the card before the hospital allegedly stopped treatment and sent him back.

With medical expenses mounting and no financial support left, Purushottam is now confined to his home in pain and helplessness. Officials in Nabarangpur have stated that the matter would be investigated.

Similar complaints are surfacing from several districts of Odisha. In some places, Ayushman cards are reportedly not functioning properly, while in others, hospitals are allegedly refusing treatment due to package-related issues.

In Boudh, a patient identified as Sambit Patra allegedly had to spend money from his own pocket after undergoing surgery because the Ayushman package did not fully cover the treatment cost.

Moreover, kidney patient Tara Naik from Binika block is allegedly facing repeated problems related to e-KYC and OTP verification. In another incident from Muniguda area of Rayagada district, treatment for a minor girl suffering from a blood disorder could reportedly not be processed under the Ayushman scheme at a private hospital.

Nearly 80 percent of Odisha’s population has been brought under Ayushman Bharat and the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana. However, experts say technical and software-related glitches, along with lower package rates compared to the earlier BSKY scheme, are creating major hurdles.

Reports suggest that package rates for complicated surgeries under Ayushman Bharat are nearly 15 to 20 percent lower than those under BSKY, prompting many private hospitals to either refuse patients or avoid accepting Ayushman cards.

The growing complaints have raised concerns about whether the scheme is effectively reaching the people it was designed to help. With patients continuing to suffer, many are now demanding immediate intervention and long-term reforms to ensure uninterrupted healthcare access under the scheme.

When contacted, Nabarangpur CDMO Prafulla Kumar Padhi said, “We will locally carry out an inquiry and take necessary steps based on the findings. Things cannot be substantiated unless and until an investigation is conducted. There is apparently no reason as to why the Ayushman cards would not work.”

Reported By: Trinath Dharua, Ranjan Swain, Deepak Adar, Dillip Sahu