-By ArdorComm News Network
July 7, 2023
The Indian Ministry of Health announced on Wednesday that over 1.78 billion visits were recorded at the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) by June 30. These centers were established as part of the government’s Ayushman Bharat scheme.
The ministry further disclosed that more than 1.22 billion screenings for non-communicable diseases had been conducted, including 418.1 million for hypertension, 361.6 million for diabetes, 247.5 million for oral cancer, 114.4 million for breast cancer, and 78.3 million for cervical cancer.
Additionally, more than 216 million wellness sessions involving 238.3 million individuals were conducted. The AB-HWCs also utilized teleconsultation services through the e-Sanjeev platform, delivering specialist services to beneficiaries in remote areas.
As of June 30, more than 122.1 million teleconsultations had been provided through the eSanjeevani portal. The AB-HWCs aim to provide comprehensive primary healthcare, including maternal and child health services, non-communicable disease management, and free essential drugs and diagnostics, thereby working towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.
The initiative began with the operationalization of the first AB-HWC on April 14, 2018, in Jangla village, Chhattisgarh, and has since transformed numerous Sub-Health Centres and Primary Health Centres across rural and urban areas, with a total of 160,002 AB-HWCs being operational by June 30.