Center offering everyone access to inexpensive healthcare: Dr. Mandaviya

In line with the vision of universal health coverage (UHC) and the unwavering commitment to leaving no one behind, the Central government is developing health infrastructure, supporting traditional medical systems, and offering affordable healthcare to everyone, according to Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday.

During the 76th session of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Committee for South-East Asia, the Minister delivered the following remark.

“Well-being is the ultimate asset and it allows one to achieve any goal,” Dr. Mandaviya said, restating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s healthcare policy.

The Minister praised the achievements of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centers (AB-HWC), noting that they have been essential in offering a wide range of basic healthcare services. As of October 24, the number of foot traffic at AB-HWCs was over 2,110 million. People have benefited from free medications more than 1,830 million times and diagnostic services more than 873 million times, demonstrating the profound effect.

“More than 306 million people have participated in 26 million wellness sessions,” he said.

He pointed out that programs like the Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) have significantly reinforced the physical infrastructure and framework for digital health, sparking a revolutionary shift in the way that health care is delivered in the country.

With AB-HWC modeling a synergistic strategy, Mandaviya said, “Our current focus on primary health centers will result in immeasurably positive health outcomes and reductions in out-of-pocket expenditures and become a model for other countries engaged in health sector reforms.”