Dr Mansukh Mandaviya virtually chairs 4th Anniv celebrations of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres
Over 1 lakh AB-HWCs join virtually
Union Health Minister, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya chaired the 4th Anniversary celebrations of Ayushman Bharat -Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) through a video conference (VC) with more than one lakh AB-HWCs, State Health ministers, senior officials of all the states and UTs, healthcare workers from various hospitals and development partners.
Accentuating the healthcare services being provided through the digital platform of tele-consultation, the Union Health Minister noted that “Health is an important issue in the development sector. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister, we have moved away from “token solution to total solution” in the healthcare sector and teleconsultation services are an example of this. E-Sanjeevani is providing affordable and accessible healthcare as envisioned by the Prime Minister.
The Union Health Minister advised States/UTs to promptly and proactively spread awareness regarding AB-HWCs health melas which will be organised underAzadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (AKAM) from April 18-22, 2022.
The Union Health Minister also released four booklets – Quarterly report on AB-HWCs, Guidelines on Human resources for health, Public Health Management Cadre’ Guidance for implementation and Indian Public Health Standards Guidelines.
Union Minister of State for Health, Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar said, “The health and wellness centre infrastructure has also been designed keeping in view the needs of the divyangs so that the specially-abled patients can also access the primary health services. These health centres are ensuring delivery of health facilities in the health interest of the community and fulfilling the commitments of National Health Policy 2017.”
Member NITI Aayog, Dr VK Paul appreciated the game-changing step of teleconsultation services. He emphasised that primary health centres are the most important component of the health system of our country as they cater to the local population and are embedded as the first point of contact for health services in their minds. He said that the focus of the health sector has now moved from the previous paradigm of catering only to a few like mothers, children, WASH services to full comprehensive health coverage now for all.
Union Health Secretary Shri Rajesh Bhushan informed participants that the Government of India is committed to the establishment of 1,50,000 Ayushman Bharat- Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) by December 2022. He said that we have already made 1,17,400 AB-HWCs functional in the country and more than 1 lakh have registered successfully onSanjeevani HWCs portal too. Reiterating the National Health policy’s idea to achieve Universal health coverage, he said that it is being proactively taken up by the government and these HWCs will help in bolstering our efforts in achieving the same. These HWCs provide free testing, diagnostic services etc so the citizens can get quality care at their local HWCs itself. Apart from these services, HWCs are also running other health programs and schemes so that along with health, the idea of wellness and wellbeing is also spread among the citizens. He thanked the states/UTs for their untiring efforts and for providing leadership in their respective states.
