1.5 lakh PHCs, Sub-Centres to be converted into Health & Wellness Centres : Nadda

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare J P Nadda while addressing a presser here on June 11, 2018, to highlight the achievements of 48 months of the Government, said that India has registered a record 22% reduction in Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) since 2013, which is the highest percentage decline so far when compared to all the previous reductions in MMR.

“India has met the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) target for MMR of 139/lakh live births by achieving 130 by 2015. At this rate, we shall achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of 70 by 2022, ahead of target timeline of 3030,” Nadda added.

Ashwini Kumar Choubey and nupriya Patel, Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare, along with Preeti Sudan, Secretary (Health), and InduBhushan, CEO, Ayushman Bharat Mission, were also present at the press conference.

Nadda stated that 10 States have already achieved the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) targets for MMR. The efforts of the government are paying off with Uttar Pradesh showing 30% decline in MMR since 2013. “Lifecycle approach and ‘continuum of care’ framework under RMNCH+A umbrella have strongly contributed to India meeting MDG target for MMR reduction,” Nadda said.

The Union Health Minister said India’s vision of Universal health Coverage is based on assured range of comprehensive primary care linked to robust secondary and tertiary care being translated through ‘Ayushman Bharat’ which spells out the country’s strategy of making universal healthcare a reality.

“This will change the healthcare landscape in the country. We are moving as per the set timelines for implementing “Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Swasthya Suraksha Mission. We shall be signing MoUs with 14 States very soon. Similarly, we shall convert 1.5 lakh primary health centres (PHCs) and sub-centres as Health and Wellness Centres. Approval has been given to 19,000 this year,” Nadda stated.

Nadda further said that the Government has given total flexibility to the States to choose their health system and how it suits them the best and it is ready to provide the financial support also. “Under free Drugs and Diagnostics Service Initiative medicine worth Rs 14,000 crore have been disbursed in last 2.5 years,” Nadda added. He further said that under Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis programme, more than 2.38 lakh patients have been benefitted.

Nadda further said that the AMRIT outlets provide drugs for cancer, cardiovascular diseases including implants at 60-90% discount on prevailing market rates. These outlets have helped patients save Rs 346.59 crore so far, according to a PIB release.

The Health Minister also stated that Cabinet has approved 8 new AIIMS at Mangalagiri (Andhra Pradesh), Nagpur (Maharashtra), Kalyani (West Bengal), Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh), Bhatinda (Punjab), Guwahati (Assam),  and Bilaspur (Himachal Pradesh).