New Delhi, Jan 13 (PTI) Odisha joining the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) is a historic moment, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said on Monday as it inked an MoU to become the 34th state/Union Territory to implement the flagship health coverage scheme of the Centre.

The National Health Authority (NHA) on Monday signed the MoU with Odisha government's health and family welfare department at the Vigyan Bhavan here in the presence of Nadda to implement AB PM-JAY in the state.

Also Read | Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: Yogi Adityanath Greets People at Sangam on 'Paush Purnima' on First Day of Mahakumbh, Says 'Around 15 Million Devotees Take Holy Dip' (See Pics and Video).

Stating that 45 pet cent of India's population are covered under the health coverage scheme, Nadda said since 2018, more than 8 crore hospitalisations have been recorded under AB PM-JAY.

Hospitalisation has significantly increased in the far-flung and remote areas of the country due to better access to health facilities aided by the scheme, the minister said.

Also Read | India-China Military Standoff: 'Situation Sensitive but Stable, There's Still Degree of Standoff', Says Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Eastern Ladakh.

Political ego should not come in the way of states while choosing people-centric schemes, Nadda added.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)