India healthcare has crossed a landmark milestone of establishing 50,025 Ayushman Bharat - Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) across the country on the journey of universal healthcare. The centres aims at providing Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) services to the communities closer to their homes. The government targets to set up 1.5 lakh AB-HWCs by December 2022. Already 50,025 have been established, meaning 1/3 of the target has been met.

The new AB-HWCs  facilitates improved access to affordable primary healthcare services for more than 25 crore people. Union Health Minister has congratulated the States/UTs for their efforts in operationalising the HWCs in the midst of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.The frontline health workers, the Medical Officers, the Community Health Officers and ASHAs were specially thanked by the minister for their dedication. The HWC team consists of a trained Community Health Officer, one or two Health Workers and 5-8 ASHAs. 

First AB-HWC was launched at Jhangla in Bijapur District of Chhattisgarh on April 14, 2018 by the honourable PM of India Modi. The HWC provide CPHC services takes efforts for provision of reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, adolescent and nutrition (RMNCHA+N) services and control of communicable diseases. HWC also focuses on preventing chronic and non-communicable diseases. They are also involved in community engagement and creating awareness about health lifestyles, appropriate nutrition and physical activities such as Yoga. Over 30 Lakh wellness sessions have been conducted so far. More than 6.43 crore people have been screened for hypertension, 5.23 crore for diabetes and 6.14 crore people for cancers.  About 1.0 crore people are being provided free drugs for treatment of hypertension and about 60 lakhs for diabetes. 

Health Minister chairs event to mark National Newborn Week 2020

India's part an inevitable and predominant in innovative healthcare solutions, says Goyal

COVID-vaccine: Healthcare workers, elderly to get priority: Harsh Vardhan