Ahead of the Lok Sabha polls slated next year, the Government will launch a mega two-week 'Seva Pakhwada' campaign in over 1,17,000 Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) across the country to ensure optimum delivery of health schemes to every intended beneficiary, including those in the last mile. The programmes will be launched under the 'Ayushman Bhava' campaign of the Union Health Ministry by President Droupadi Murmu on September 13 virtually.
'Ayushman Bhava' is an umbrella campaign comprising three major components — Ayushman Apke Dwar 3.0, Ayushman Mela, and Ayushman Sabha — to be launched during the 15-day period, starting September 17.
"All the activities will start from September 17. Besides, Swachhta Abhiyaan, Organ Donation and Blood Donation campaigns will also be held during the proposed Sewa Pakhwada," said Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Health Minister.
Several welfare initiatives, including 'Ayushman Mela', and 'Ayushman Sabha' with Jan Bhagidari (public participation) will be undertaken by the Union Health Ministry across the country under 'Ayushman Bhava' for people belonging to economically weaker sections.
The Union Health Minister said that during the programmes, which will continue till October 2, general awareness about health will be spread and the programmes being run by the central government in this direction will be implemented in mission mode.
Mandaviya said all block-level hospitals and medical colleges will organise health camps on their premises. He informed further that in line with the Ayushman Bhava campaign, an Ayushman Mela will be organised "where all the poor, and middle-class people will be diagnosed and treated".
"If any patient needs tertiary care, he will be taken to the respective medical college and provided treatment," he said, adding that over the fortnight, 'Swacchta Abhiyaan' (cleanliness drive) will be also run at healthcare institutions across the country including hospitals and dispensaries, among others.
He said that along with conducting a 'Gaon Sabha' in all rural areas, the campaign will eventually ensure Gram/Nagar Panchayat attain the status of 'Ayushman Gram Panchayat' or 'Ayushman Urban Ward' with saturation of selected health indicators.