The Odisha government in India has given its in-principle approval to expand the Ama Hospital scheme to all government health facilities in the state over the next four years.

This includes district headquarters hospitals (DHHs), sub-divisional hospitals (SDHs), community health centres (CHCs), and primary health centres (PHCs).

The government also plans to increase the number of beds at the Jajpur District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) from 330 to 420 to provide better healthcare services.

These changes are aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of healthcare services in the state.

According to sources, the Health and Family Welfare Department said: “In a partial modification of this Department Notification No. 4074/H dated February 21 and in continuation to this Department Notification No. 5595/H dated, March 13, and in view of the efforts of the government to strengthen healthcare services in the state, the government, after careful consideration has been pleased to accord in-principle approval for expanding the Ama Hospital Scheme to all DHH, SDH, CHC and PHCs in the state, over the coming four years.”

In February, the Odisha government announced plans to upgrade 147 hospitals, build four new medical colleges, and establish a cancer care facility as part of the Ama Hospital programme.

The new medical colleges are said to be located in Kalahandi, Talcher, Jajpur, as well as Kandhamal.

The government allocated Rs7.5bn ($90.11m) for this programme.

Earlier this year, a foundation stone was laid for Odisha’s new 150-bed Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, which will be built on a 30-acre lot. The aim is to offer affordable cancer care and support research into the area.

The facility is being constructed as a joint venture between the Department of Atomic Energy and the Tata Memorial Trust, at a cost of Rs6.5bn. Plans are active to increase the capacity of the facility in future.