Only 13.8% of health smart card holders 'benefit' from Odisha flagship programme

By Our Representative
Inclusion of eligible beneficiaries and awareness of the scheme, especially among rural communities, will bolster the Odisha government’s Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), which aims to provide universal health coverage with special emphasis on the health protection of economically vulnerable families, an online study report titled “Implementation of BSKY Scheme in Odisha” has said.
Released by the NGO Atmashakti Trust and its allies Odisha Shramajeebee Mancha and Mahila Shramajeebee Mancha, Odisha, the study was conducted between July and August 2022, covering 12 districts (Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Nayagarh, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Bolangir, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, and Mayurbhanj), where there is a predominant population of tribals Dalits and other marginalized communities.
The study collected responses from 20,128 people who are either the beneficiary of the BSKY scheme or those who have been left out for some reason.

Its findings reveal that only 13.8% (2,787) of the BSKY card holders have received health services. Of the 20,128 respondents, who participated in the survey, 9.5%(1907) said that their cards are still lying at the Gram Panchayat (GP) office.
About 7% (1,401) respondents said that they do not have any information on where to go to receive the card and who will issue the card to them. And, 3.5% (710) respondents alleged that local authorities forced them to pay a bribe to get the BSKY card.
Respondents highlighted several reasons for lack of access to health services under the BSKY scheme, such as the lack of awareness, lack of timely service, hospitals not extending services, not having time to take the opportunity, and not knowing how to use it.
The report reveals that of the families which have BSKY cards, 24.2% are facing issues in availing of the services.
It says, 33.3% of the respondents said that they are not able to avail benefits under the scheme on time, whereas 11.4% complained that hospitals are not extending services even though they have a health card.
While 17.8% of respondents informed that they do not have time to avail the services due to many reasons, 37.5% of them admitted that they do not have proper information and awareness on how to use services under the scheme.
"BSKY scheme is a bold initiative as it caters to the healthcare needs of the economically vulnerable families of the state, which is praiseworthy. However, looking at the findings of the study report, the inclusion of many families in the scheme and awareness among communities of the scheme's benefits and service details will prove crucial in its effective implementation", said Ruchi Kashyap, executive trustee, Atmashakti Trust.
She insisted, "The government must focus on health infrastructure to cater to the healthcare needs of the people at the last mile."

Seeking effective implementation of the BSKY, the study report recommends that the benefit of the smart card under the BSKY scheme should be extended to the doctor's consultancy fee and medicine cost pre- and post-treatment period.
It adds, lack of awareness of the scheme's benefits and use limits the scope of service accessibility for beneficiaries. So, the government should make extensive awareness drives through materials using local languages.
According to the study report, a one-size-fit-all budgeting will not work so far as the budget for raising awareness is concerned. Therefore, a need-specific budget allocation will be helpful, especially for remote areas and the areas with hilly terrain.
In insisted, the state government should conduct a special drive on distributing the smart health cards to include left-out eligible families, adding, the government should make extensive awareness drives in local languages. It can use the cultural troupes registered with the government at block and district levels. Their artistes are paid pension.

Comments

Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan raises concerns over Jharkhand Adivasis' plight in Assam, BJP policies

By Our Representative The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan (Save Democracy Campaign) has issued a pressing call to protect Adivasi rights in Jharkhand, highlighting serious concerns over the treatment of Jharkhandi Adivasis in Assam. During a press conference in Ranchi on November 9, representatives from Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh criticized the current approach of BJP-led governments in these states, arguing it has exacerbated Adivasi struggles for rights, land, and cultural preservation.

Promoting love or instilling hate and fear: Why is RSS seeking a meeting with Rahul Gandhi?

By Ram Puniyani* India's anti-colonial struggle was marked by a diverse range of social movements, one of the most significant being Hindu-Muslim unity and the emergence of a unified Indian identity among people of all religions. The nationalist, anti-colonial movement championed this unity, best embodied by Mahatma Gandhi, who ultimately gave his life for this cause. Gandhi once wrote, “The union that we want is not a patched-up thing but a union of hearts... Swaraj (self-rule) for India must be an impossible dream without an indissoluble union between the Hindus and Muslims of India. It must not be a mere truce... It must be a partnership between equals, each respecting the religion of the other.”

Right-arm fast bowler who helped West Indies shape arguably greatest Test team in cricket history

By Harsh Thakor* Malcolm Marshall redefined what it meant to be a right-arm fast bowler, challenging the traditional laws of biomechanics with his unique skill. As we remember his 25th death anniversary on November 4th, we reflect on the legacy he left behind after his untimely death from colon cancer. For a significant part of his career, Marshall was considered one of the fastest and most formidable bowlers in the world, helping to shape the West Indies into arguably the greatest Test team in cricket history.

Andhra team joins Gandhians to protest against 'bulldozer action' in Varanasi

By Rosamma Thomas* November 1 marked the 52nd day of the 100-day relay fast at the satyagraha site of Rajghat in Varanasi, seeking the restoration of the 12 acres of land to the Sarva Seva Sangh, the Gandhian organization that was evicted from the banks of the river. Twelve buildings were demolished as the site was abruptly taken over by the government after “bulldozer” action in August 2023, even as the matter was pending in court.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

Will Left victory in Sri Lanka deliver economic sovereignty plan, go beyond 'tired' IMF agenda?

By Atul Chandra, Vijay Prashad* On September 22, 2024, the Sri Lankan election authority announced that Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) alliance won the presidential election. Dissanayake, who has been the leader of the left-wing JVP since 2014, defeated 37 other candidates, including the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (UNP) and his closest challenger Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.

Will Bangladesh go Egypt way, where military ruler is in power for a decade?

By Vijay Prashad* The day after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka, I was on the phone with a friend who had spent some time on the streets that day. He told me about the atmosphere in Dhaka, how people with little previous political experience had joined in the large protests alongside the students—who seemed to be leading the agitation. I asked him about the political infrastructure of the students and about their political orientation. He said that the protests seemed well-organized and that the students had escalated their demands from an end to certain quotas for government jobs to an end to the government of Sheikh Hasina. Even hours before she left the country, it did not seem that this would be the outcome.

A Marxist intellectual who dwelt into complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape

By Harsh Thakor* Professor Manoranjan Mohanty has been a dedicated advocate for human rights over five decades. His work as a scholar and activist has supported revolutionary democratic movements, navigating complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape. His balanced, non-partisan approach to human rights and social justice has made his books essential resources for advocates of democracy.

Tributes paid to pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, who 'dodged' police for 60 yrs

By Harsh Thakor* Jagjit Singh Sohal, known as Comrade Sharma, a pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, passed away on October 20 at the age of 96. Committed to the Naxalite cause and a prominent Maoist leader, Sohal, who succeeded Charu Majumdar, played hide and seek with the police for almost six decades. He was cremated in Patiala.

Search This Blog