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Source: The post is based on the article “Centre to borrow ₹13,879 crore to boost health infrastructure” published in The Hindu on 11th February 2023.
What is the News?
The Union government has signed loan agreements to borrow up to ₹13,879 crores to strengthen health infrastructure from international agencies. The loan agreements have been signed to augment PM-ABHIM (Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Infrastructure Mission).
About various loan agreements to augment PM-ABHIM
The loan agreements have been signed with Asian Development Bank (ADB) for $300 million and with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for 50 billion Japanese Yen.
World Bank has also approved $1 billion IBRD loans for PM-ABHIM.
Note: IBRD is the lending arm of the World Bank.
About Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)
While the government provides “financial assistance to States and Union Territories to set up and upgrade health infrastructure under National Health Mission, the PM-ABHIM was launched in addition to it.
| Must read: PM ABHIM (Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission) – Explained pointwise |
It was launched to fill gaps in health infrastructure, especially in critical and primary care facilities.
The major initiatives planned under the mission include support for a) the construction of rural Health and Wellness Centres, b) the establishment of Urban Health and Wellness Centres, c) the setting up of Block Public Health Units and d) the setting up of Integrated Public Health Labs in all districts.
