AB-HWC 1.0.31

Ayushman Bharat (AB) is a comprehensive initiative that aims to transform the delivery of health care services from a segmented approach to a more integrated and holistic system. The program focuses on addressing health concerns at all levels - primary, secondary, and tertiary - with a range of interventions covering preventive, promotional, and ambulatory care.

One of the key components of Ayushman Bharat is the establishment of 150,000 Health and Wellness Centers. These centers are designed to provide Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) including maternal and child health services, non-communicable disease care, essential drugs, and diagnostic services, bringing health care closer to communities. Additionally, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) under Ayushman Bharat offers health protection coverage for secondary and tertiary care to economically disadvantaged families.

In line with the National Health Policy of 2017, the initiative emphasizes strengthening primary health care through the implementation of Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) to offer Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC). This strategic move allocates a significant portion of the health budget to primary care, aiming to enhance the overall healthcare landscape.

The Health and Wellness Centers serve as the primary point of contact for health care services in India, offering a spectrum of preventive, curative, and rehabilitative services. These centers cater to various health needs including Reproductive & Child Health, Communicable Diseases Control, Non-Communicable Diseases, Mental Health, Ear-Nose-Throat (ENT) care, Ophthalmology, Oral health, Geriatric Care, Palliative Services, and Emergency Care.

The inauguration of the first Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Center took place in Jangla, Bijapur by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in April 2018. The AB-HWC Portal was subsequently launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with the National Health System and Resource Centre and Centre for Health Informatics in November 2018 to facilitate planning and monitoring the operational progress of HWCs across states.

The AB-HWC Portal captures detailed information on facility profiles and service utilization at these centers in real-time to aid states and districts in monitoring and evaluating their initiatives efficiently. To address connectivity challenges, an AB-HWC Application has been developed that enables health care providers at HWCs to submit reports seamlessly on a daily and monthly basis regardless of internet availability. This user-friendly application promotes efficient data entry and real-time progress tracking.