Yogi Government’s Digital Innovations under Ayushman Bharat Echo in Odisha

Yogi government’s digital initiatives praised at the two-day ‘Chintan Shivir’ on Ayushman Bharat held in Bhubaneswar

Initiatives such as the ‘Ayushman Sarathi’ app, Information-Education-Communication (IEC), ‘Ayush AI Chatbot’, and “Ayushman” superhero comics received appreciation

Lucknow, January 2026 : The Yogi government’s efforts to deliver the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat scheme to the masses through digital innovation and social media are being appreciated by other states as well. A recent example of this was seen at the two-day ‘Chintan Shivir’ on the Ayushman Bharat scheme held in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha. The objective of the conclave was to review the progress achieved under the Ayushman Bharat scheme so far and to share successful models and best practices among states across the country. The event was organised by the National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with the Government of Odisha.

Direct benefits to beneficiaries through digital and IEC initiatives

CEO of SACHIS, Archana Verma, said that detailed discussions were held during the conclave on the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. Uttar Pradesh was especially appreciated at the Chintan Shivir for the effective use of digital innovations under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. The digital initiatives undertaken by Uttar Pradesh to enhance beneficiary awareness, ensure easy access to information and simplify service delivery were widely praised. Earlier, beneficiaries often faced difficulties in finding hospitals, obtaining correct information or accessing services. To address these challenges, the Uttar Pradesh State Health Agency (SHA) launched several digital and IEC initiatives, the impact of which is clearly visible in improved beneficiary experiences.

OPD appointments being booked from home through Ayushman Sampark

ACEO Pooja Yadav said that among the digital innovations, the ‘Ayushman Sarathi’ mobile application is a key initiative, enabling beneficiaries to locate empanelled hospitals. Through the app, people can easily obtain information about nearby empanelled hospitals. In addition, the ‘Ayush AI Chatbot’ has played a significant role in providing quick responses to beneficiaries’ queries in Uttar Pradesh. The chatbot has answered queries from more than 15,000 beneficiaries, substantially reducing dependence on help desks or direct assistance. To further simplify OPD services, the ‘Ayushman Sampark’ platform was launched as an OPD appointment booking system, through which more than 600 appointments have already been booked. This has made access to outpatient services easier and reduced unnecessary travel.

Scheme awareness reaching the masses through Ayushman superhero comics

Along with digital efforts, Uttar Pradesh has also developed innovative IEC materials at the community level to enhance awareness. Among these, the “Ayushman” superhero comics received special attention, as they convey information about the scheme in simple language and an engaging manner. This has increased awareness of the scheme among children, youth and families alike. As a result of these initiatives, beneficiary experience has improved, waiting time has reduced, and awareness as well as utilisation of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has increased. Notably, 42 per cent of the total OPD appointments booked through Ayushman Sampark were made by senior citizens above the age of 50, indicating strengthened access to services for the primary target population. On this occasion, the Health Benefit Package Manual and a compendium of best initiatives/practices under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana were also launched. In addition, several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged with partner institutions.