Odisha Niramaya Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Odisha NIRAMAYA Scheme is the Free Medicines Distribution Scheme of the Government of Odisha, implemented by the Health & Family Welfare Department since 1 May 2015. The scheme aims to reduce the financial burden of treatment by making essential medicines and other notified medical items available free of cost to eligible patients receiving treatment at Government health facilities. Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited (OSMCL) plays a key role in the central procurement and supply of medicines, consumables, surgical and suture items under the scheme.

Registered patients at Government Hospitals and health institutions can receive medicines prescribed by the doctor without paying for them. Patients can collect the prescribed medicines from the Drug Distribution Counter (DDC) after completing registration and consultation with the doctor. The quantity supplied depends on the prescription; medicines for the complete prescribed period should be provided. In special chronic cases, medicines may be issued for up to one month at a time, subject to the physician's advice.

NIRAMAYA forms an important part of Odisha's public healthcare support alongside other State initiatives such as Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana (revised version of Biju Swathya Kalyan Yojana), which provides cashless healthcare coverage, and Gopabandhu Sambadika Swasthya Bima Yojana, which provides health insurance support to eligible working journalists and their families.

The coverage of NIRAMAYA has expanded over time. The latest Health & Family Welfare Department Annual Activity Report states that about 1,087 types of essential drugs are provided free of cost to all categories of patients attending public health facilities according to the level of the facility. The report also states that more than 40.01 crore patients have benefited under the free-drug initiative since 2018.

NIRAMAYA continues to receive financial support from the Odisha Government. In the Odisha Budget 2026-27, the Government proposed Rs.786 crore under NIRAMAYA. The Budget also states that free medicines, surgical and suture items, vaccines, anti-cancer drugs and blood products are being provided through an expanded network of drug distribution centres. This confirms that NIRAMAYA remains an active component of Odisha's public healthcare system in 2026-27.

Scheme Benefits

NIRAMAYA provides free medicines and other notified healthcare items to registered patients receiving treatment at Government health facilities. The major benefits available under the scheme are as follows:

• Free medicines are provided to registered patients at Government Hospitals and health institutions.
• Medicines are supplied according to the prescription issued by the treating doctor.
• If a prescription covers seven days, medicines for the prescribed seven-day period should be provided.
• In special chronic cases, medicines may be issued for up to one month at a time, subject to the physician's advice.
• The scheme covers essential drugs according to the level and requirements of the public health facility.
• The latest Odisha Health Department report states that about 1,087 types of essential drugs are provided free of cost under NIRAMAYA.
• The Odisha Budget 2026-27 states that the scheme also provides free surgical and suture items, vaccines, anti-cancer drugs and blood products through drug distribution centres.
• Patients receiving assistance under OSTF, RSBY or BKKY can also receive medicines under NIRAMAYA if they are registered patients.

Eligibility Requirements

The Odisha NIRAMAYA Scheme provides free medicines to patients receiving treatment through Government health facilities. The key eligibility conditions are:

• The patient must be registered at a Government Hospital or Government health institution.
• The patient must consult a doctor at the Government health facility.
• The patient must have a valid prescription issued by the treating doctor to obtain the prescribed medicines from the Drug Distribution Counter (DDC).
• There is no separate income or BPL requirement specified for availing medicines under the scheme.
• Patients receiving treatment under other Government health programmes can also receive NIRAMAYA medicines when they meet the registration and prescription requirements.

Required Documents

No separate documents are required to apply for the Odisha NIRAMAYA Scheme. Patients can access the benefit through registration and consultation at a Government health facility.

• Government health facility registration details, wherever applicable.
• Doctor's prescription for obtaining the prescribed medicines from the Drug Distribution Counter (DDC).

Steps to Apply

There is no separate online or offline application form for NIRAMAYA. A patient can access the benefit by following the treatment and medicine-distribution process at a Government health facility.

• Visit a Government Hospital or Government health institution.
• Complete the required patient registration at the health facility.
• Consult the doctor and undergo the required medical examination.
• Obtain the prescription issued by the doctor.
• Visit the Drug Distribution Counter (DDC) of the concerned Government health facility.
• Submit the prescription at the DDC.
• Collect the prescribed medicines and other available items free of cost.

Drug Distribution Centres (DDC) Network

Niramaya medicines reach patients through a dedicated network of Drug Distribution Centres set up inside government health facilities across Odisha.

• At launch, the government had planned 1,102 Drug Distribution Centres, covering 1,234 Primary Health Centres, 383 Community Health Centres, 32 District Headquarters Hospitals, 22 sub-divisional hospitals and 3 medical colleges.
• At least one DDC at every medical college, major health institution, District Headquarters Hospital and sub-divisional hospital operates 24x7.
• At Community Health Centres, DDC timings follow the regular OPD timing of the facility.
• The Odisha State Medical Corporation Ltd. (OSMC) handles central procurement and supply of drugs, consumables, surgical items and sutures to this network.

Relevant Links

• Odisha NIRAMAYA Scheme Portal
• NIRAMAYA Official FAQs
• Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited (OSMCL)
• Health & Family Welfare Department, Government of Odisha

Contact Information

• Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited (OSMCL): Helpline Number: 0674-2380608