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India's Pandemic Defense: How PM-ABHIM Transformed Health Infrastructure

The PM-ABHIM program has significantly strengthened India's health infrastructure over the past four years. It invested Rs 64,180 crore to enhance pandemic preparedness and emergency response capabilities. The initiative upgraded facilities from primary to tertiary care levels across the country. These efforts have built a more resilient healthcare system capable of detecting and preventing outbreaks effectively.

Key Points: PM-ABHIM Enhanced India Health Surveillance Systems Pandemic Fight

  • Launched during COVID-19 wave with Rs 64,180 crore investment over 2021-26
  • Expands IT-enabled disease surveillance network across all health levels
  • Upgrades 17,788 Sub-Health Centres into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs nationwide
  • Establishes 730 district-level labs and 602 critical care hospital blocks
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PM-ABHIM enhanced India's health surveillance systems to boost fight against pandemics: Govt

PM-ABHIM invested Rs 64,180 crore to strengthen India's pandemic preparedness with upgraded health infrastructure and real-time disease surveillance networks.

"Four years after its launch, PM-ABHIM has transformed India's health infrastructure, investing Rs 64,180 crore to strengthen pandemic preparedness - Government Statement"

New Delhi, Oct 24

The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) has, in the last four years, strengthened India’s pandemic preparedness with enhanced health surveillance systems to boost fight against pandemics, the government said on Friday.

The PM-ABHIM programme was launched on October 25, 2021, during the global wave of Covid-19 infections.

With an investment of Rs 64,180 crore over the period 2021-26, the programme aimed to address gaps in infrastructure in health, research, and surveillance in the country.

“Four years after its launch, PM-ABHIM has transformed India's health infrastructure, investing Rs 64,180 crore to strengthen pandemic preparedness and emergency response capabilities,” the government said in an official statement.

“By upgrading facilities from primary to tertiary care levels and enhancing surveillance systems, the scheme has built a more resilient healthcare system,” it added.

PM-ABHIM prioritises pandemic and disaster preparedness by expanding an IT-enabled, real-time disease surveillance network that integrates laboratories at block, district, regional, and national levels to detect, investigate, and prevent outbreaks effectively.

In addition, it promotes health research and innovation, particularly on Covid and other infectious diseases, by advancing the One Health approach, which recognises the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health.

Key initiatives under PM-ABHIM's Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) component include the approval of 17,788 building-less Sub-Health Centres for upgradation into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs), and 11,024 Urban AAMs (U-AAMs) to extend primary healthcare in slum and underserved urban areas.

In addition, 3,382 Block Public Health Units (BPHUs) are being established to bolster block-level health administration and service delivery, while 730 Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHLs) are being developed, one in each district, to enhance diagnostic and surveillance capabilities.

Further, to strengthen tertiary care, 602 Critical Care Hospital Blocks (CCBs) are being set up in districts with populations exceeding five lakh.

Overall, administrative approvals worth Rs 32,928.82 crore have been accorded to States and Union Territories for these initiatives, covering 9,519 AAMs, 5,456 U-AAMs, 2,151 BPHUs, 744 IPHLs, and 621 CCBs.

"These efforts mark a major step toward building a resilient, decentralised, and accessible public health network capable of delivering timely and quality healthcare across the country," the government said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
₹64,180 crore is a massive investment! Hope the money is being utilized properly and not going to waste. We need transparency in how these funds are being spent across states.
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Arjun K
The One Health approach is brilliant! Connecting human, animal and environmental health makes so much sense. This could prevent future pandemics at their source. Great forward-thinking policy! 👍
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Sarah B
As someone who works in public health, I appreciate the focus on surveillance systems. Real-time data integration from block to national level will be game-changing for outbreak response.
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Vikram M
Good to see urban slums getting attention through Urban AAMs. Often these areas get neglected in healthcare planning. Hope the implementation matches the vision.
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Michael C
While the initiative sounds promising, I hope there's proper monitoring of quality standards. Building infrastructure is one thing, but maintaining it and ensuring quality service delivery is equally important.
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Ananya R
The critical care hospital blocks in populous districts will be a lifesaver! Many tier-2 cities desperately need better emergency care facilities. This should reduce pressure on metro hospitals during crises.

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