Part 5: Niramaya & NIDAN — Free Medicines & Free Diagnostics

These two schemes are the backbone of Odisha’s free healthcare system. Together, they ensure that you never have to pay for medicines or diagnostic tests at a government hospital.

---

Section A: NIRAMAYA — Free Medicines

What is Niramaya?

Niramaya is a Government of Odisha initiative to provide essential drugs and medicines free of cost to all patients visiting government health facilities.

How to Get Free Medicines (Step-by-Step)

1. Visit any government hospital in Odisha (Capital Hospital, CHC, PHC, District Hospital, etc.).
2. Register as a patient at the OPD counter.
3. Get a prescription from the government doctor.
4. Go to the Drug Distribution Centre (DDC) located inside the hospital premises.
5. Show your prescription to the DDC staff.
6. Collect your medicines for free. The DDC operates 24/7.

Who is Eligible?

• All permanent residents of Odisha are eligible.
• No income limit. No card required. Just your Aadhaar and a doctor’s prescription.
• Exception: Central and State government employees are NOT eligible (they have their own medical reimbursement systems).

What medicines are available?

The DDC stocks 500+ essential drugs covering:

• Antibiotics, painkillers, anti-fever
• Diabetes medicines (Metformin, Glimepiride, Insulin)
• Hypertension medicines (Amlodipine, Losartan, Atenolol)
• Anti-TB drugs (full DOTS course)
• Psychiatric medicines
• Surgical consumables and dressings

What if a medicine is not available at the DDC?

• Ask the DDC staff. They can sometimes arrange it from a neighbouring government facility.
• If the drug is genuinely not in the government formulary, you may need to purchase it from a Jan Aushadhi Kendra (50-90% cheaper than branded) or a private pharmacy.
• Helpline for complaints about medicine availability: 0674-2380608 (OSMC — Odisha State Medical Corporation).

---

Section B: NIDAN — Free Diagnostic Tests

What is NIDAN?

NIDAN is a Government of Odisha initiative to provide free diagnostic investigations at all government health facilities, from PHCs to Medical Colleges.

What tests are free under NIDAN?

Test Category	Examples	Cost to Patient
Blood Tests	CBC, Blood Sugar, Liver Function, Kidney Function, Thyroid, HbA1c, Lipid Profile	Free
Urine & Stool Tests	Routine, Culture & Sensitivity	Free
X-Ray	Chest X-ray, Bone X-ray	Free
Ultrasound	Abdominal, Pelvic, Obstetric	Free
CT Scan	Brain CT, Chest CT, Abdomen CT	Free
MRI Scan	Brain MRI, Spine MRI, Knee MRI	Free
ECG	Standard 12-lead ECG	Free
Echo	2D Echocardiography	Free (at major hospitals)

How does it work?

1. A government doctor writes a referral/request for the test.
2. You take it to the diagnostic department within the hospital.
3. Many high-end tests (CT, MRI) are operated under a PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model — a private company operates the machine inside the government hospital, but the test is free for the patient.
4. Reports are typically available within 24-72 hours depending on the test.

---

The Power Combo

When you combine Niramaya (free medicines) + NIDAN (free diagnostics) + free OPD/surgery at a state hospital, the total out-of-pocket cost for a patient is effectively ₹0.

This is one of the most comprehensive free healthcare models in India, and it’s available right here in Bhubaneswar.

---

Next: Part 6 — BSKY-Empanelled Private Hospitals