Update on Strengthening The Healthcare System

National Health Mission (NHM) envisages achievement of universal access to equitable, affordable & quality health care services that are accountable and responsive to people’s needs. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen the public healthcare system based on the proposals received in the form of Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) under National Health Mission. Government of India provides approval for the proposals in the form of Record of Proceedings (RoPs) as per norms & available resources. As on 24.07.2023, a total of 1,60,480 Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) have been operationalized in India by upgrading existing SHCs and PHCs to deliver Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) that includes preventive, promotive, curative, palliative and rehabilitative services which are universal, free, and closer to the community.

The Fifteenth Finance Commission (FC-XV) has recommended grants through local governments for specific components of the health sector to the tune of Rs 70,051 crores and the same have been accepted by the Union Government. These grants for health through Local Governments will be spread over the five-year period from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26 and will facilitate strengthening of health system at the grass-root level.

PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) was launched by Hon'ble Prime Minister of India for an amount of Rs.64,180 crore. The measures under the PM-ABHIM focus on developing capacities of health systems and institutions across the continuum of care at all levels, primary, secondary and tertiary, to prepare health systems in responding effectively to the current and future pandemics /disasters.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is committed to rapidly immunization coverage and consolidate the health systems strengthening efforts keeping in mind the socio-cultural practices and beliefs in child immunization among tribal communities in India. Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) is one of the largest cost-effective public health interventions targeting close of 2.67 crore newborns and 2.9 crore pregnant women annually for reduction of vaccine preventable under-5 mortality rate, by providing free of cost against 12 vaccine preventable diseases.

To strengthen routine immunization planning and delivery mechanism, MoHFW, launched its flagship programme “Mission Indradhanush” in December 2014 to achieve more than 90% full immunization coverage in the country. Under this drive, focus is given on pockets of low immunization coverage and hard to reach areas including tribals where the proportion of unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children is highest. Till 6^th phase, total of 554 districts so far have been covered across the country which also includes tribal communities. It was also identified as one of the flagship schemes under Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (541 districts) and Extended Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (117 aspirational districts).

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is administering a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Establishment of new Medical Colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals, hospitals with preference to underserved areas and aspirational districts, where there is no existing Government or private medical college. Under the Scheme, a total of 157 medical colleges have been sanctioned in three phases including in Odisha. The details of all medical colleges approved in tribal districts under the scheme is at annexure.

Rural Health Statistics (RHS) is an annual publication, based on Health care administrative data reported by States/UTs. Details of State/UT-wise number of Sub-Centres, PHCs, CHCs, Sub-Divisional Hospital, District Hospital & Medical Colleges functioning in rural & tribal areas and details of human resources along with shortfall in the same may be seen at the following link of RHS 2021-22 https://hmis.mohfw.gov.in/downloadfile?filepath=publications/Rural-Health-Statistics/RHS%202021-22.pdf