Launched as recommended by the National Health Policy 2017, to achieve the vision of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
This initiative has been designed on the lines as to meet SDG and its underlining commitment, which is “leave no one behind”.
to undertake path breaking interventions to holistically address health (covering prevention, promotion and ambulatory care), at primary, secondary and tertiary level.
Includes the on-going centrally sponsored schemes – Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme (SCHIS) and Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY).
Expansion of services:
The Union government is expanding the services offered by AB-HWCs.
The expanded services include screening, prevention, control, and management of non-communicable diseases.
Other services being added are care for ophthalmic and ENT problems, basic oral health care, elderly and palliative health care services, emergency medical services, and screening and management of mental health ailments.
The aim is to cover all centres with the expanded services by August-end.
The list of essential medicines and diagnostics has been expanded.
171 medicines will be available at primary health care-health and wellness centres, and 105 medicines at secondary centres.
Additionally, 63 diagnostics will be added for primary centres, and 14 diagnostics for secondary centres.
Community health officers:
A new cadre of community health officers has been introduced at secondary centres.
These officers, with a total of 1.29 lakh in position, act as clinicians and public health managers.
They lead a team of Accredited Social Health Activists, anganwadi workers, and auxiliary nurse midwives.
AB-HWCs provide comprehensive primary health care, including maternal and child health services and non-communicable disease management.
Wellness activities such as yoga, Zumba, meditation, counselling, marathons, cyclothons, and celebration of annual health days are also conducted.
Over 2.16 crore wellness sessions have been conducted with participation from 23.83 crore individuals.
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