The Odisha government has introduced a new “Ama Hospital (Our Hospital)” scheme, a transformation initiative that aims at strengthening public health infrastructure for promoting improved standards of healthcare, well-being of patients, improved basic amenities required for patients and their attendants, and creating a conducive environment for bringing positive care patient experience.

Under the scheme, all the 1,858 hospitals will be given a new look with improved patient care facilities.

All these hospitals will be upgraded in the next five years from 2023-24 to 2027-28 with a budgetary support of Rs 3,388.73 crore. In the first phase, 149 hospitals will be upgraded.

However, the Opposition said the scheme was introduced ahead of election only to befool people.

The scheme got the nod of the state cabinet chaired by chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday evening.

All public health facilities such district headquarter hospital (DHH), sub divisional hospital (SDH), community healthcare centre (CHC) and primary health centre (PHC) would be upgraded in a phased manner to ensure that patients while coming to these centres get maximum comfort and care.

Chief secretary P.K. Jena said: “The scheme aims to make healthcare more patient-centric and focus more on investing in interventions contributing towards ease of living by the patients and the family members coming to public health facilities.”

Under the scheme, basic patient amenities will be improved at the hospitals. Display boards for improved public awareness will be set up.

Help desk with maps for enhanced patient support in terms of guiding patients and attendants to access the services will be provided. Hygienic toilet facilities in the hospitals will be created.

“Uniform branding, signages and prototypes within the building and campus for easy navigation within the facility will be done. Queue management and patient calling system will be introduced to reduce overcrowding in service areas,” officials said.

Apart from this, online registration system for better patient management will be introduced. “A system to sent laboratory reports on phone will be introduced to avoid multiple visits to hospitals,” officials said.

Aahaar Kendra will be set up to provide quality foods at subsidised rates.