Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Frbruary 17, 2022, chaired a meeting through video conference (VC) with all States and UTs to review the operationalisation status of Ayushman Bharat Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs), Tele-consultation services, and physical and financial progress made under COVID-19 Emergency Response & Health System Preparedness Package: (ECRP-II) and Prime Minister Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana (PM-ABHIM).
Highlighting that the Government of India ( GoI) is dedicated to expanding public healthcare delivery across the country, States were informed through a detailed presentation on the status of implementation of AB-HWCs, their operationalisation as tele-consultation centres, and status of implementation of projects under ECRP-II package.
The Union Health Secretary highlighted that for ensuring comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) under Ayushman Bharat, Sub Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) are being strengthened as Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs). The HWCs are crucial in providing preventive, promotive, rehabilitative, and curative care for an expanded range of services encompassing reproductive and child health services, communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, palliative care and elderly care, oral health, ENT care, and basic emergency care. Trained officials like Mid-level Health Care Provider (MLHP)/Community Health Officer (CHO) are being placed at HWC-SHC and Medical Officer at PHC (Rural/Urban). They would facilitate delivery of these services at their respective health centres. HWCs will be crucial in enhancing continuum of care and tele-health/ referrals, according to a PIB release.
The States were advised to ensure operationalisation of target of 1.10 lakh HWCs by March 31, 2022, through customised and focused strategy. This in effect means that these HWCs must be fully functional and equipped to dispense free meds, provide free diagnostics, and all prescribed health packages including yoga and healthy living sessions.
They were also advised to ensure that all the 1.10 lakh AB-HWCs are adequately equipped to function as effective and vibrant tele-consultation “Spokes”. This would include ensured availability of internet connectivity, desktop/ laptop and required trained and skilled personnel including CHO. States also are required to ensure that all the HWCs are mapped to a “Hub” which could be a District Hospital or District Medical College Hospital. For each such spoke, States must ensure that a base minimum number teleconsultation sessions are conducted, starting from today.
Reiterating the advise to states on expediting utilisation of funds released under ECRP-II package for strengthening healthcare infrastructure across the country (since the funds will lapse on March 31, 2022), States were again reminded to accelerate completion of projects under ECRP-II, so that subsequent instalment of funds can be released by Union Health Ministry. They were also informed that necessary exemption from ECI have been taken. Additionally, States were also advised that they can utilise savings under certain components of ECRP-II package with due approval of State Health Societies for permissible and admissible components, instead of again seeking approval of Union Health Ministry.
States were also requested to expedite proposals and MoUs to be sent to Union Health Ministry under PM-ABHIM to enable the Ministry to release funds for the states.