Start 1.1 lakh wellness centres by Mar 31, states told

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New Delhi, February 17

The Health Ministry today asked states and UTs to start operating 1.1 lakh health and wellness centres by March 31 this year, to ensure healthcare service delivery closer to the communities.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan chaired a meeting through video-conferencing to review the status of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres, tele-consultation services, physical and financial progress under Emergency Covid Response Package-2 and Prime Minister Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana to augment rural public health infrastructure in preparation of a potential future pandemic.

Highlighting that the Centre had dedicated itself to expanding public healthcare delivery across the country, states were informed through a detailed presentation the status of implementation of wellness centres.

“To boost primary healthcare under Ayushman Bharat, sub-centres and primary health centres are being strengthened as health and wellness centres (HWCs). These are crucial in providing preventive, promotive, rehabilitative and curative care for an expanded range of services, encompassing reproductive and child health services, communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, palliative care and elderly care, oral health, ENT care, and basic emergency care,” Bhushan said.

The target is for states to start operating 1.1 lakh HWCs by March 31.

This in effect means that these centres must be fully functional and equipped to dispense free medicines, provide free diagnostics and all prescribed health packages, including yoga and healthy living sessions, the health secretary said.