Some of the government initiatives to transform rural healthcare: UPSC Daily Important Topic | 23 January 2023

Some of the government initiatives to transform rural healthcare:

✅Under Ayushman Bharat, the existing SCs and PHCs are being transformed into AB-Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) to deliver preventive, curative, palliative and rehabilitative services which are universal, free and close to the community.

✅PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) envisages increased investments in public health to provide better access to health in rural areas by:

Strengthening of HWCs in villages and cities for early detection of diseases

Support for Block Public Health Units (BPHU) in 11 high-focus States

Integrated district public health laboratories in all districts, etc.

✅National Ambulance Service under National Health Mission (NHM) for free transportation to health facilities.