Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya has said that more than 135 crore people have been witnessed at health and wellness centers for getting the treatment.

Chairing the eighth meeting of Mission Steering Group (MSG) of National Health Mission in Delhi, Dr Mandaviya stressed that for the first-time health is being linked with the agenda of development under a holistic approach undertaken by the Union Govt.

“The pandemic period has provided us an opportunity to strengthen our healthcare infrastructure and delivery systems,” he added.

The MSG is the apex decision-making body of NHM that takes decisions on policies and program implementation under the Mission. Secretaries of Ministries of Government of India including MoHFW, AYUSH, School Education & Literacy and senior officers from WCD, Tribal Affairs, Finance & Expenditure, Panchayati Raj, Health Secretaries of State Governments and eminent public health professionals also attended the meeting.

Dr Mandaviya further said that exceeding the target of 1.50 lakh Ayushman Bharat- Health & Wellness Centres (AB-HWC) by 31 December, 2022, more than 1.54 lakh Sub Health Centres and Primary Health Centres have been transformed as AB-HWCs.

“In sync with the approach of the National Health Policy 2017 (NHP 2017), AB-HWCs are providing comprehensive primary healthcare closer to the communities. As many as 12 health services packages are available free-of-charge,” he added.

He further stated that more than 135 crore footfall has been witnessed at the HWCs.