Bhubaneswar: Hospitals empaneled for the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) will face action if they don't provide treatment to patients under the scheme, said Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena today.

The official's clarification holds significance as there was uncertainty over the validity of the BSKY after the victory of the BJP in the Odisha Assembly Elections. Worth mentioning, the BSKY was launched by the BJD government.

"Empaneled hospitals can neither refuse to treat patients under the scheme nor discharge the patients prematurely. The BSKY will continue till the new State Government takes any decision regarding the scheme," the Chief Secretary said.

"If any empaneled hospital violates the norms, citizens are advised to contact the Health Department. Stringent action will be taken against such hospitals," the official added.

The helpline number of the Health Department is 104.

Hospitals empaneled for the BSKY are continuing to provide treatment under the scheme, reports said.

As per available data, on June 4, empaneled hospitals booked treatment packages for more than 5800 patients. Similarly, on June 5, treatment packages were booked for more than 5389 patients by empaneled hospitals.

The MOUs on BSKY signed with empaneled hospitals remain in force, as per reports.

The BSKY health card holders have been advised not to remain in confusion. The hospitals have been directed to continue the treatment as before.

State Health Department Secretary Shalini Pandit today clarified that the scheme will continue. The scheme continues providing services as before, the official said.

The Information & Public Relations Department also issued a clarification in this regard.

"It has been clarified that the BSKY remains active, with approved budgetary support. Hospitals are to continue treatment to beneficiaries as before. All claims raised by hospitals will be paid by SHAS as before," it said.

"Hospitals are to ensure that patients do not face any difficulty or disruption in availing services," it added.

Notably, Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal had yesterday said that BSKY will be discontinued in Odisha while Central Government's Ayushman Bharat scheme will be introduced after formation of BJP government in the state.

There were reports of private hospitals not accepting the BSKY health cards of patients in the state.

Samal later issued a statement saying that it is a social crime to stop people from availing healthcare services under the BSKY.