With focus on provisioning of quality healthcare covering primary, secondary and tertiary spheres, the Union Minister highlighted that Government of India has launched the all-encompassing Ayushman Bharat Yojana in 2018 with the goal of “Sabka Saath and Sabka Viswas” in mind
“Building a healthcare system that is resilient and sturdy forms the foundation of Prime Minister’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat”. This was stated by Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare as she chaired the “Universal Health Coverage Day,2021” ceremony and the day-long workshop of technical discussions on the theme “Leave No One’s Health Behind: Invest in Health Systems For All”.
With focus on provisioning of quality healthcare covering primary, secondary and tertiary spheres, the Union Minister highlighted that Government of India has launched the all-encompassing Ayushman Bharat Yojana in 2018 with the goal of “Sabka Saath and Sabka Viswas” in mind. While primary healthcare with the aim of providing services close to the community was launched in 2018, this was strengthened with AB-PMJAY in September 2018, Ayushman Digital Mission and PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission this year.
She noted that while COVID led to delay in several activities all over the world, in India, work on Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) increased despite the pandemic. More than 81,000 HWCs have been operationalised as on date, and the target of 1.10 lakh HWCs will be completed by end of March 2022.
The Union Minister felicitated the states under the categories of “Best AB-HWC – Primary Healthcare Team Awards”, “Best Performing State/UT under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”, “Screening of NCDs and common cancers at AB-HWCs”, “Creation of Digital Health IDs” and “PMJAY-NHA Awards”. She also launched a coffee table book on good and replicable healthcare practices and training manuals for primary healthcare team on expanded package of services. An SMS feature was also launched under the NPCDCS Program which will help in creating awareness on non-communicable diseases.
Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary; Dr RS Sharma, CEO, NHA; Vikas Sheel, AS&MD(NHM); Vishal Chauhan, JS (Policy), and senior officials of the Ministry were present on the occasion. Dr Roderico Orfin, WHO representative to India and Dr Sangeeta Patel, Director, Health Office at USAID participated in the event.