New Delhi, January 23 (IANS). To promote emergency health services, the Central Government has set up 24×7 Primary Health Centers (PHCs) and First Referral Units (FRUs) across the country.
Under the National Health Mission (NHM), 12,348 PHCs have been converted into 24×7 services and 3,133 FRUs have been made operational till March last year. Additionally, the fleet of Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) was expanded, with 1,424 MMUs now operating to ensure access to healthcare in remote and underserved areas.
The launch of the MMU portal in 2023 further strengthened monitoring and data collection on health indicators for vulnerable tribal groups. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was apprised of the progress made under NHM during the years 2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24. According to Health Ministry data, there are more than 31,000 PHCs operational in the country, staffed by more than 40,000 doctors/medical officers to provide primary care to people in rural and hilly, tribal and desert areas.
While giving information about the meeting to the media, former President of Indian Medical Association, Dr. Vinay Aggarwal said, “Keeping PHC operational 24×7 is a great step, because it will help people, especially those living in rural areas, to get immediate access to emergency services.” will gain help in.”
Aggarwal said, “For example, in case of snake bites, most of the deaths occur because the patient does not reach the hospital in time. If medical arrangements are ensured at the local level, in PHCs, it will help save many lives. Similarly, such service will prove to be a big boon for maternal and child health also.
He also stressed the need to keep such facilities well maintained with manpower, medicines and other key equipment. Another major achievement of NHM was the increase in healthcare infrastructure.
He said the data revealed that “in FY 2021-22, NHM recruited 2.69 lakh additional health workers, including general duty medical officers, specialists, staff nurses, ANMs, AYUSH doctors, allied health service workers and public health managers Facilitated.”
“Furthermore, the number of Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) centers providing a range of health services has increased to 1,72,148 by the end of FY 2023-24, of which 1,34,650 centers are providing 12 core health services. Are.”
–IANS
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