Ayushman Bharat - Health & Wellness Centres (AB-HWC) are providing comprehensive primary healthcare closer to the communities and has witnessed more than 135 crore footfalls said Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya chairing the Eighth Meeting of Mission Steering Group (MSG) of National Health Mission (NHM).

The meeting was also attended by Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Housing & Urban Affairs; Gajendra Singh Sekhawat, Union Minister of Jal Shakti; Dr. Virendra Kumar, Union Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment; Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare; and Dr. V. K. Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog.

Highlighting the achievements under NHM, Dr. Mandaviya stated that “Exceeding the target of 1.50 lakh Ayushman Bharat - Health & Wellness Centres (AB-HWC) by 31 December, 2022, more than 1.54 lakh Sub Health Centres and Primary Health Centres have been transformed as AB-HWCs."

Dr. Mandaviya stressed that while we need to understand global healthcare systems and their best practices. India can have its own healthcare model which would be aligned to its regional requirements, and customized to the local strengths and challenges.

Moving with the philosophy of Antyodaya, the Government aspires to provide affordable, accessible and quality healthcare services to each individual in every corner of the country, commented Dr. Mandaviya. 

Commending the progress under the Nikshay Mitra initiative, the Union Health Minister emphasized on the need to eradicate TB by 2025 as per Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of achieving the TB Elimination target by the year 2025.

The MSG also deliberated upon increasing focus towards preventive and promotive health approach that advocates for a holistic wellness outlook in the community. The dignitaries deliberated on the proposition of each medical college mentoring 10 AB-HWCs each which would then go on to become models for other AB-HWCs to emulate. This would assure quality comprehensive healthcare services in the primary sector. Additionally, the MSG discussed strengthening of the national healthcare ecosystem and stressed on adoption of new technologies to upgrade and strengthen the existing healthcare infrastructure as part of new initiatives under NHM.

The member Union Ministers appreciated progress made under NHM through focused programmes and support provided to states over the years.

Several suggestions were offered including on the approach to elimination of diseases like cervical cancer, increasing the number of AB-HWCs under Medical Colleges, need for a more detailed analysis of the urban health sector, and enhancing synergy between centre and states for timely matching fund allocation from the latter.