Health Ministry Allocates INR 14,139 Cr for Strengthening Healthcare Infrastructure Nationwide

The CSS components of the PM-ABHIM scheme aim to strengthen capacities across primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare levels, with a primary focus on enhancing preparedness for effective responses to current and future pandemics or disasters.

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has granted INR 14,139 Cr to States and Union Territories to enhance healthcare infrastructure across the country.

This allocation is dedicated to constructing and reinforcing healthcare infrastructure under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) component of the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) over three fiscal years.

The PM-ABHIM, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 25, 2021, with an outlay of approximately INR 64,180 Cr, aims to be implemented from the fiscal year 2021-22 to 2025-26. Of this total, INR 54,204.78 Cr is designated for the CSS Components, while INR 9,339.78 Cr is allocated for implementing Central Sector Components (CSCs).

The Ministry highlighted that administrative approvals have been granted to States/UTs for INR 14,138.98 Cr. This funding will be utilised for the construction and strengthening of 7,808 Sub-Health Centres- Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs), 1,528 Urban HWCs, 890 Block Public Health Units, 352 Integrated Public Health Laboratories at the district level, and 278 Critical Care Blocks for the fiscal years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24.

The CSS components of the PM-ABHIM scheme are geared towards building capacities within health systems and institutions across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels of healthcare. The focus is on preparing health systems to respond effectively to current and future pandemics or disasters.

Specific targets under the CSS components include infrastructure support for 17,788 rural HWCs, establishing 11,024 urban HWCs, and setting up 3,382 Block Public Health Units. The plan also includes establishing Integrated Public Health Laboratories in all districts and Critical Care Blocks in all districts with a population exceeding five lakhs.

Within the Central Sector Components (CSCs), the first year aims to strengthen 33 labs, with 20 labs already receiving fund releases. The land allocation for the National Institute of Virology and One Health Institute at five locations has been completed, and contracts have been awarded to the Central Public Works Department.

The CSS targets involve:

1. Constructing 12 central institutions as training and mentoring sites with 150-bed Critical Care Hospital Blocks.

2. Strengthening the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

3. Establishing five new regional NCDCs.

4. Deploying 20 metropolitan health surveillance units.

Furthermore, the plan includes expanding the integrated health information portal to all States and Union Territories, operationalising 17 new public health units, and fortifying 33 existing public health units at entry points – 32 airports, 11 seaports, and seven land crossings.

Tenders are currently in the process of building a comprehensive surveillance system with more than 4,000 labels. Additionally, the digitisation of analytics, forecasting, and early warning systems through the integrated health information platform is underway, covering real-time, case-based epidemiology data for over 33 health conditions.

Tender processes are ongoing for 37,000 new critical care beds with ICU and oxygen support and health units at 50 international entry points.

The Ministry of Health emphasised its commitment to bolstering healthcare infrastructure, reinforcing surveillance capabilities, and preparing for emergencies through the PM-ABHIM scheme, ensuring a nationwide robust and responsive healthcare system.