The Union Government has taken an essential step in reshaping the healthcare scenario of India. In their recent decision, the existing Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) will now be recognized as ‘Ayushman Arogya Mandir.’ Accompanied by the tagline ‘Arogyam Parmam Dhanam,’ it reflects the government’s aim to transition from selective healthcare to an all-encompassing spectrum of services. These would cover preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care.
Ayushman Bharat: An Overview
Ayushman Bharat is a comprehensive health care program initiated by the government to address health care at its roots. It is designed to shift the focus from specific health issues to provide wider care at the community level. The initiative encourages wellness and offers a broad range of services free of cost.
The ambitious health scheme consists of two main components. The first involves creating 1,50,000 Health & Wellness Centres across the country dedicated to providing Comprehensive Primary Health Care. The second component, named Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), focuses on financial protection. It offers an annual health insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakhs to over 10 crore families who are in dire straits.
Ayushman Arogya Mandir: Focusing On Holistic Wellness
The renamed Ayushman Arogya Mandir primarily aims to offer an extensive range of health services. The rechristening signifies the ushering in of a new era concentrating more on broader health issues rather than focusing on specific diseases.
The Arogya Mandirs will tackle non-communicable diseases and offer palliative and rehabilitative care. Along with these, they will also provide oral, eye, and ENT care. They plan to extend support for mental health and cater to initial care for emergencies and trauma. The centers will ensure the availability of free essential drugs and diagnostics, making healthcare accessible and affordable.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana: Providing Financial Protection
The second component of Ayushman Bharat, PM-JAY, aims to alleviate the financial burden that medical expenses can exert on impoverished families. The program aims to provide health insurance coverage of Rs. 5 lakhs per year to over 10 crore needy families for secondary and tertiary care. This step ensures that the lack of finances does not hinder access to necessary medical treatments.
Ayushman Bharat: A Revolution in Healthcare
The renaming of AB-HWCs to Ayushman Arogya Mandir represents more than just a titular shift. It marks the beginning of an expansive and inclusive approach to healthcare in India. By emphasizing prevention and wellness alongside curative and rehabilitative treatments, Ayushman Bharat aims to revolutionize healthcare at a grassroot level.
The goal is to ensure that every citizen, especially those belonging to the most vulnerable sectors of society, has access to affordable and comprehensive healthcare services. By making necessary medical care accessible to all, regardless of their economic background, Ayushman Bharat aspires to achieve health security across India.