Latest news with #Mahaling


Time of India
30-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Odisha aligns with national goal to eliminate Measles-Rubella by 2026: Mukesh Mahaling
Bhubaneswar: In a significant step towards strengthening public health and safeguarding future generations, Odisha's Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling has launched a comprehensive set of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials aimed at accelerating the Measles and Rubella (MR) elimination programme in the state. The launch was held at the Directorate of Public Health as part of the celebrations for World Immunisation Week 2025 , observed globally from April 24-30 under the theme: "Immunisation for all is humanly possible." Speaking at the event on Tuesday, Mahaling reaffirmed Odisha's commitment to eliminating Measles and Rubella by the year 2026 -- in alignment with India's national target. Highlighting Odisha's "outstanding performance" in child healthcare, Mahaling proudly shared that the State has achieved a remarkable 90.5 per cent full immunisation coverage, the highest among all Indian states, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). This milestone is a testament to the dedication of healthcare workers, community support, and strong inter-departmental coordination, he said. "Immunising children and pregnant women remains our topmost priority," said Mahaling. "It is the most cost-effective and life-saving public health intervention. Together, we must ensure no child is left behind," he added. The Minister emphasised that the success of the MR elimination mission depends on a collaborative approach involving multiple government departments such as Health & Family Welfare, Women & Child Development, School & Mass Education, ST & SC Development, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water, Housing & Urban Development, and Information & Public Relations. Their joint efforts are being strengthened at the state, district, and block levels. He further appealed for the active participation of parents, caregivers, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, PRI members, community leaders, NGOS, SHGS, and civil society to create a grassroots movement for immunisation awareness and action. Let us unite as one community, he urged, to make Odisha a Measles-Rubella free state -- a shining model of public health excellence for the entire nation. The event also paid tribute to India's immunisation triumphs, including the eradication of smallpox in 1977, the country's Polio-free status since 2014, and the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus in 2015. Director of Public Health Dr Nilakantha Mishra, State Immunisation Officer Dr. Tapas Kumar Patra, and Binod Bihari Das, Private Secretary to the Health Minister, along with senior officers from the Department of Health and Family Welfare, were present at the launching ceremony.


New Indian Express
30-04-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Can't decline patients under PM-JAY: Odisha government to private hospitals
BHUBANESWAR: A day after private hospitals expressed their reluctance to accept the low package rates and other unrealistic paraphernalia for settlement of bills under the newly-launched Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY and Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (GJAY), the government on Tuesday issued a stern warning to empanelled private hospitals directing them not to deny treatment to any eligible patient. Health and Family Welfare minister Mukesh Mahaling cautioned that any negligence or refusal of care to Ayushman cardholders would attract strict legal action. The warning came amid ongoing tension between the state government and private hospitals over issues ranging from technical glitches to unsustainable treatment package rates. Several hospitals have reportedly expressed their inability to conduct certain procedures due to what they describe as 'very low-value' under the health scheme, making it impossible for them to maintain the treatment quality. Mahaling, however, clarified that the technical bottlenecks in the current system flagged by the hospitals, especially Aadhaar-based OTP authentication related to PAN-India card integration, and OTP verification are being reviewed for active resolution. On the demands to increase treatment package rates, the minister said, the matter is also being looked into. The state government is examining feedback from various stakeholders, including patients and hospitals, and verifying the cost of treatment under the scheme in other states to come up with a solution that is acceptable to all, he said. The All Odisha Private Medical Establishments Forum (AOPMEF) has raised several problems warning that the current design of the scheme is financially unviable. Stating that the package rates are at least 15 to 20 per cent less than the previous BSKY scheme, the forum demanded a minimum 30 per cent hike, citing inflation and increasing operational costs. Forum secretary Dr Indramani Jena said pricing for implants, including Rs 75,000 for pacemakers and Rs 10,000 for spine implants, is unsustainable. While the packages for ortho surgeries, knee replacement and neurological procedures are down by over 15 per cent, Rs 70,300 is being offered for spinal surgery instead of the old rate of Rs 84,000. For a teflon mesh, only Rs 800 allotted for its minimum price of Rs 1,700, he pointed out. Amid allegations that many beneficiaries are yet to get health cards, Mahaling informed eligible people possessing ration cards with Aadhaar authentication are automatically included. 'They can produce the cards as proof of eligibility, or simply show their Aadhaar card to check eligibility at the hospitals until they are provided cards. The state has also used e-KYC drives to onboard more beneficiaries and is working on mechanisms to include those still outside the system,' Mahaling added.
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Business Standard
30-04-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
Odisha backs national target to eliminate Measles-Rubella by 2026: Minister
In a significant step towards strengthening public health and safeguarding future generations, Odisha's Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling has launched a comprehensive set of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials aimed at accelerating the Measles and Rubella (MR) elimination programme in the state. The launch was held at the Directorate of Public Health as part of the celebrations for World Immunisation Week 2025, observed globally from April 24-30 under the theme: "Immunisation for all is humanly possible." Speaking at the event on Tuesday, Mahaling reaffirmed Odisha's commitment to eliminating Measles and Rubella by the year 2026 -- in alignment with India's national target. Highlighting Odisha's "outstanding performance" in child healthcare, Mahaling proudly shared that the State has achieved a remarkable 90.5 per cent full immunisation coverage, the highest among all Indian states, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). This milestone is a testament to the dedication of healthcare workers, community support, and strong inter-departmental coordination, he said. "Immunising children and pregnant women remains our topmost priority," said Mahaling. "It is the most cost-effective and life-saving public health intervention. Together, we must ensure no child is left behind," he added. The Minister emphasised that the success of the MR elimination mission depends on a collaborative approach involving multiple government departments such as Health & Family Welfare, Women & Child Development, School & Mass Education, ST & SC Development, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water, Housing & Urban Development, and Information & Public Relations. Their joint efforts are being strengthened at the state, district, and block levels. He further appealed for the active participation of parents, caregivers, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, PRI members, community leaders, NGOS, SHGS, and civil society to create a grassroots movement for immunisation awareness and action. Let us unite as one community, he urged, to make Odisha a Measles-Rubella free state -- a shining model of public health excellence for the entire nation. The event also paid tribute to India's immunisation triumphs, including the eradication of smallpox in 1977, the country's Polio-free status since 2014, and the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus in 2015. Director of Public Health Dr Nilakantha Mishra, State Immunisation Officer Dr. Tapas Kumar Patra, and Binod Bihari Das, Private Secretary to the Health Minister, along with senior officers from the Department of Health and Family Welfare, were present at the launching ceremony.


Time of India
29-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Min clarifies on Ayushman Bharat, warns hospitals against negligence
Bhubaneswar: Health and family welfare minister Mukesh Mahaling on Tuesday clarified the confusion related to the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana . He said the govt is taking all possible steps to include eligible beneficiaries in the scheme. "Currently, those having NFSA, SFSA, and Antyodaya cards are being included in the scheme. The state govt has recently started a fresh distribution drive of new ration cards, which will increase the beneficiary base in Ayushman Bharat," said Mahaling. The minister said there is no confusion regarding the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, and if there is any, steps are being taken to resolve it. "We are taking all steps to ensure that no eligible beneficiary is left out of the scheme," he said. Mahaling also warned private hospitals against negligence in providing healthcare services under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. He said strong action will be taken against hospitals neglecting patients.


Time of India
29-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Campaign to boost eradication of measles, rubella cases
1 2 Bhubaneswar: In a major initiative, health minister Mukesh Mahaling on Tuesday launched a comprehensive information, education and communication (IEC) campaign to accelerate the state's measles and rubella (MR) elimination programme. The launch, coinciding with 'World Immunisation Week', marks a significant step toward achieving the state's goal of eliminating the diseases by 2026, in line with national targets. Speaking at the launch event, Mahaling highlighted Odisha's achievement in immunisation coverage. "Our state leads the nation with 90.5% full immunisation coverage, as per the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5)," he said. The initiative brings together multiple govt departments, including health and family welfare, women and child development, and school and mass education, among others, to ensure comprehensive implementation at state, district and block levels. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads View Deals Undo "Immunising children and pregnant women remains our topmost priority. It is the most cost-effective and life-saving public health intervention ," said Mahaling. The minister called for widespread community participation, urging involvement from parents, Ayushman Arogya mandirs, members of panchayati raj institutions, NGOs and self-help groups to create grassroots awareness about immunisation. The campaign launch also celebrated India's previous immunisation successes, including smallpox eradication (1977), polio-free status (2014), and elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus (2015). This year's World Immunization Week, observed from April 24-30, will be observed on the theme 'Immunisation for all is humanly possible'.