To ensure quality health services to people, the State Government has decided to provide free diagnosis facilities at the Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs). About Rs 2,454 crores would be spent in next five years for creating the required infrastructures during the period from 2021 to 2026. The money would be invested through panchayats and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

Additional Chief Secretary, Health, PK Mohapatra outlined the technical and administrative details to extend the services at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary SC Mahapatra.

The infrastructure development works would be undertaken as per the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission.When money would be spent for creating infrastructures and installing equipments for various medical tests in rural areas, villager would not need to run to urban areas to avail the facilities. Emphasising importance of primary healthcare in rural and urban areas, the Chief Secretary instructed Directorate of National Health Mission (NHM) to prepare detailed action plans for purpose.

He asked the concerned officials to make a detailed assessment on the available healthcare infrastructures and prepare district action plans accordingly by the end of July.

It was also decided to set up special committees at the State and district levels for proper implementation and supervision of the works. The State-level committee would be headed by Chief Secretary while the Collector would head the district-level committees.

Representatives from the three-tier Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), Urban Local Bodies would be included in State committee. The district-level panels would have officials from Health & Family Welfare, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water and Housing & Urban Development Departments along with elected representatives from PRIs and ULBs.