Union Health Minister, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a meeting through video conference (VC) recently with the health ministers and senior Officials of all the States and UTs to review the operationalisation status of Ayushman Bharat Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs), Tele-consultation services and physical and financial progress made under ECRP-II.

Union Health Minister also provided guidance on the preparation and invited suggestions from States/UTs for 4^th anniversary celebrations of Ayushman Bharat -Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs).

Appreciating the healthcare services being provided through the digital platform of tele-consultation, Dr.Mandaviya noted that “E-Sanjeevani is providing affordable and accessible health care as envisioned by the Prime Minister. People in many states have been quick to recognise the benefits of e-sanjeevani and this has led to an encouraging trend of widespread rapid adoption of this digital modality of seeking health services. Patients consult with doctors and specialists on a daily basis using this innovative digital medium to seek health services.

According to Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Health Minister, tele-consultation services are very crucial for people in remote areas and are helpful in making healthcare services accessible for all. States/UTs should mobilize all stakeholders in providing services at the spokes and efficiently connecting them with the hubs.”

He also advised States/UTs to promptly and proactively spread awareness regarding AB-HWCs health melas which is being organized. In addition Yoga sessions are also being organized on at all HWCs, so that citizens can actively participate in these health melas and become aware of the HWCs services provided in their regions.

Union Health Minister, said, “Yoga connects the body with mind and soul and is an integral part of our health and wellbeing. We should promote Yoga among the masses so that everyone benefits from this, he added. Highlighting the importance of working as Team India,.”

“We as a government must take the “whole of government” and “whole of society approach” to serve our citizens in a better way and ensure good governance. The way the Government has worked in mission mode in providing quality medicines through Jan Aushadhi Kendras (Research Centres) is a prime example of this” he added.

About AB-HWCs and 4th Anniversary Celebrations:

According to Dr Suneela Garg, Professor of Excellence, Community Medicine,Sub Dean of Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi and Chair Programme Advisory Committee NIHFW, translating the intent of the National Health Policy 2017 to achieve Universal Health Coverage into budgetary commitment, the Government of India announced the establishment of 1,50,000 Ayushman Bharat- Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) in February 2018.

Existing Sub-Health Centres and Primary Health Centres in rural and urban areas are being transformed to deliver comprehensive primary health care, to all citizens, free of cost, closer to homes. AB-HWCs are a major shift from selective to comprehensive primary health care inclusive of promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative care; from disease-centred to wellness centred; and whole-of-society approach, institutionalizing intersectoral coordination in alignment with the emergent international ‘Health in All’ approach as a complement to ’Health for All’.

The journey began with the inauguration of the first AB-HWC on 14^th April 2018, at Jangla, a serene village in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh. Since then, with every passing year, India is closer to fulfilling the dream of Universal Health Coverage through the AB-HWCs.

Celebration of 4^th Anniversary of AB-HWC under ‘AzadiKaAmrit Mahotsav’-

Ayushman Bharat – Health and wellness Centres which was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 14th April, 2018 with an objective of providing “Health for All” which has recently been  completed its 4th year Anniversary.  In this regard the Union Health Ministry is organising a weeklong celebration under ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to create awareness reading the AB-HWCs, telemedicine/ tele-consultation.

The Health Ministry in collaboration with all the States/UTs, key ministries such as WCD, I&B, Panchayati Raj, Ayush, Education etc will also be organising ‘Block level Health Melas’ at all the 1.17 lakh Ayushman Bharat – Health and wellness Centres across the country. These AB-HWCs are also being revolutionized by connecting them with E- sanjeevani Teleconsultation services, which is providing free and affordable health care to all

A Weeklong Block Health Melas

Block Health Melas at AB-HWCs in at least one block in each district of the State/UT are being inaugurated across the country. Each Block Health Mela is being organised for a day to cover each block in the State/UT.

These Block Health Melas are envisaged to;

1.   Build awareness about different national programmes like Ayushman- Bharat Health and Wellness centres, PradhanMantri- Jan ArogyaYojana (PM-JAY)
2.   Facilitate creation of Unique Health ID under ABDM for attendees
3.   Facilitate provision of Ayushman Bharat Card under AB-PM-JAY for eligible citizens
4.   Increase health awareness of the population for prevention of various communicable and non-communicable diseases
5.   Motivate the masses through innovative mass media and mid-media activities to adopt wellness behavior to stay healthy
6.   Provide screening for early diagnosis, basic health care services with drugs and diagnostics, teleconsultation with relevant health specialists and referrals as needed

The key services at the Health Mela include:

1. Consultation, testing and treatment for:
2. Reproductive Child Health related services –  Maternal & Child Health; Family Planning IEC-Family Welfare; Reproductive Transmitted Illnesses/Sexually Transmitted Illnesses/AIDS
3. NCD related: Screening for hypertension and diabetes; yoga, Meditation & Lifestyle counselling; counselling for Tobacco and alcohol cessation; Cancer prevention awareness
4. Communicable Diseases related: education and screening for TB, Leprosy, Skin care
5.   Eye care: Screening Refractive error and Cataract screening
6. ENT Screening
7. Dental Consultation
8.   General:

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Ayushman Bharat Health Account Creation (Digital Health ID);

 

-Issuance of Ayushman Bharat Card

General health check up; Teleconsultation with specialists

-Consultation with practitioners of Indian Systems of Medicine- Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Homeopathy

-All relevant drugs and diagnostics made available free to patients attending the mela

-Awareness activities: Exhibition –  displaying all national programmes and citizen services;

-Field Publicity – using local folk, art and play

State Health Minister Dhan Singh Rawat (Uttarakhand), ShriBanna Gupta (Jharkhand), Mangal Pandey (Bihar), Rajesh Tope (Maharashtra), Brajesh Pathak (Uttar Pradesh), Dr.Prabhuram Choudhary (Madhya Pradesh), Dr K Sudhakar (Karnataka) were also present in the meeting. Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Health Ministry, Vikas Sheel, AS & MD,  Vishal Chauhan, Joint Secy and other senior officials of the Union Health Ministry were present in the virtual review meeting along with NHM Mission Directors and other officials from States/UTs.

“This facility was aimed at people living in remote villages who needed medical advice from health experts”, Mansukh Mandaviya, said.

Over one lakh health and wellness centers have been started in the country and out of these, tele-consultation begins in one lakh centres. This facility was aimed at people living in remote villages who needed medical advice from health experts.