Why in the news?

  • The Pradhan Mantri–Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) was highlighted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for its significant progress in building pandemic-ready healthcare infrastructure across India.

PM- Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM – ABHIM)

  • Launched: 2021
  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
  • Nature: Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).
  • Aim: To strengthen public health infrastructure across urban and rural India and prepare for future pandemics and health emergencies.
  • Objectives:
    • Develop robust health systems for surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment.
    • Strengthen primary, secondary, and tertiary care infrastructure.
    • Build integrated public health laboratories at all levels.
    • Create an IT-enabled disease surveillance network under the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM).
    • Ensure India’s self-reliance in health preparedness under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
  • Key Components:
    • National Health Institutions:
      • Establish National Institute for One Health (NIOH).
      • Four new Regional NIVs and 15 BSL-III labs.
      • Strengthen National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
    • Surveillance & Digital Systems:
      • Expand Integrated Health Information Portal (IHIP) to all districts.
      • Create 5 regional research platforms for epidemic preparedness.
    • Infrastructure Development:
      • 17,788 Rural and 11,024 Urban Health & Wellness Centres.
      • Critical Care Blocks in all districts (50–100 beds each).
      • District Integrated Public Health Labs in 730+ districts.
    • Capacity Building:
      • Training for epidemiologists, virologists, and public health managers.
      • Promotion of AI-based surveillance and digital health tools.