Critical care block worth Rs 25 crore to boost healthcare in Poonch

Construction of a Critical Care Block is underway in Poonch district, with authorities stating that the project will significantly strengthen critical healthcare infrastructure in the region.

Superintendent of District Hospital Poonch, Shafiq Ahmed, said the facility is being developed at a cost of Rs 25 crore and will be equipped with modern medical infrastructure to cater to patients requiring advanced treatment.

“It is a Rs 25-crore project that will be equipped with modern medical facilities. The construction work is in full swing and is expected to be completed soon. The critical care block will also house a public health laboratory, making it an integrated unit,” Ahmed said.

Launched in 2021, the Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) is one of India’s largest pan-national programmes aimed at building a resilient, accessible and self-reliant public health system.

The mission focuses on strengthening healthcare infrastructure from the grassroots to the district level through the establishment and upgradation of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs), Block Public Health Units, Integrated District Public Health Labs and Critical Care Hospital Blocks across districts.

These facilities are intended to bridge service delivery gaps and ensure comprehensive primary, secondary and critical care services closer to communities.

According to an official release, PM-ABHIM also prioritises pandemic and disaster preparedness by expanding an IT-enabled, real-time disease surveillance network that integrates laboratories at block, district, regional and national levels to detect, investigate and prevent outbreaks effectively.

Additionally, the mission promotes health research and innovation, particularly in the area of infectious diseases, by advancing the One Health approach, which recognises the interdependence of human, animal and environmental health.

Overall, PM-ABHIM envisions a robust health ecosystem capable of responding to future health emergencies while ensuring equitable and quality healthcare for all citizens.