In a significant move towards ensuring quality comprehensive primary healthcare services, the central government has granted permission to each medical college to provide guidance and support to 10 Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs). The proposal, which has been cleared by the esteemed Mission Steering Group (MSG) under the National Health Mission (NHM), aims to enhance the delivery of healthcare services at these wellness centres.

Chaired by prominent officials, including Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Housing Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, and Niti Aayog member VK Paul, the MSG gave the green light to the proposal during a meeting held in January. According to the approved plan, each medical college will adopt 10 AB-HWCs for the initial two years and subsequently 10 different AB-HWCs every two years thereafter.

To ensure effective technical support, the medical colleges will receive travel, communication, and contingency aid under the NHM. The responsibility of overseeing the AB-HWCs’ progress will rest with a designated “programme coordinator” from the “department of community medicine,” preferably an additional, associate, or assistant professor.

The financial implications of this proposal for 648 medical colleges are estimated at Rs 13.99 crore, with an annual budget of Rs 2.16 lakh.

It is noteworthy that the central government has already established over 1.60 lakh HWCs, offering comprehensive primary healthcare services free of cost to patients. These centres provide an array of vital services, including maternal and child healthcare, treatment for non-communicable diseases, palliative and rehabilitative care, oral, eye, and ENT services, mental health support, and first-level care for emergencies and trauma. Additionally, patients at these HWCs benefit from essential drugs and diagnostic services without any charge.

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