While the private clinics and hospitals have been struggling to get non-covid patients during the Coronavirus pandemic, Health and Wellness Centres (AB - HWCs) established under the Government’s Ayushmaan Bharat seem to have found favour among the citizens: over 19.23 crore beneficiaries have availed health facilities at 43,022 centres operational across the country since the outbreak of the disease.
“An additional 13,657 HWCs were operationalised within the period of the pandemic itself (between January to July 2020) to ensure that an array of healthcare reaches the vast community of citizens they serve. As of July 24th, 2020, a total of 43,022 HWCs are operational across different parts of the country,” said a statement from the Union Health Ministry.
In one week itself, starting 18-24th July 2020, a total of 44.26 lakh people have benefitted from the HCWs services being provided by the AB-HWCs. The cumulative total footfall among the HWCs since their inception (i.e. 14th April 2018) consequently rose to 1,923.93 lakh. “This is a testimony to the foundational work of the HWCs in their communities. They have played a pivotal role in ensuring that non-COVID essential services are not hampered and continue to be provided,” .
Also, 14.24 lakh yoga sessions have been conducted in total by the HWCs since their inception.
Apart from this, HWCs are playing a major role in mass screening for non-communicable diseases. Since their inception, the HWCs have tested a total of 4.72 crore individuals for hypertension, 3.14 crore for diabetes, 2.43 crore for oral cancer, 1.37 crore for breast cancer and 91.32 lakhs for cervical cancer.
The AB-HWCs have been very useful in the pandemic as their population-based screenings for non-communicable diseases have provided the State health authorities a list of those with chronic diseases and the vulnerable, co-morbid population which has to be protected from COVID-19 on priority.
Immunisation sessions have been organised by the HWC teams where medical checkups of pregnant women are ensured apart from the delivery of essential medicines to TB, leprosy, hypertensive and diabetic patients, said the Ministry.