PM launches PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission

What is the News?

The Prime Minister has launched the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission also known as Pradhan Mantri Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana (PMASBY)

About Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission

Objectives of the Scheme

To strengthen the critical healthcare network from village to block to the district to the regional and national level in the next 4-5 years. 

To develop health systems and institutions at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels and prepare them to respond effectively to pandemics and disasters.

To establish an IT-enabled disease surveillance system through a network of surveillance laboratories at block, district, regional and national levels.

What are the key components of the Scheme?

There are three significant aspects of the programme:

First Aspect: Comprehensive surveillance of infectious diseases

Under this, health and wellness centres are being opened in villages and cities, where there will be facilities for the early detection of diseases. Facilities such as free medical consultation, tests, and medicine will be available at these centres.

For serious illnesses, 35,000 critical care beds are being added in 600 districts, and referral facilities will be given in 125 districts.

Second Aspect: Comprehensive diagnostics and treatment facilities

This will involve the development of testing infrastructure. All 730 districts of the country will get integrated public health labs and 3,000 blocks will get public health units. Apart from that, five centres for disease control, 20 metropolitan units, and 15 BSL labs will strengthen this network.

Third Aspect: Comprehensive pandemic research 

The existing 80 viral diagnostic and research labs will be strengthened, four new National Institutes of Virology and a National Institute for One Health are being established.

What is the need for this scheme?

According to the 2020 Index report by Oxfam India, India’s health budget is the fourth lowest in the world. Neighbouring countries Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh spent more than India on health. 

Moreover, India’s healthcare infrastructure is also deplorable. According to government data, India has 1.4 beds per 1,000 people, 1 doctor per 1,445 people, and 1.7 nurses per 1,000 people. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India ranks 184 out of 191 countries in health spending.

Hence, this scheme has been launched to improve an entire ecosystem of services from treatment to critical research.

Source: This post is based on the following articles:

• “PM launches PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission” published in “PIB” on 26th October 2021.
• “How a new govt health scheme will benefit India” published in “Livemint” on 26th October 2021.
• “PM Modi launches mission to bolster healthcare structure” published in “Livemint” on 26th October 2021.