Overview
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released an update on the PM-ABHIM. With an outlay of ₹64,180 crore for the period FY 2021‑22 to 2025‑26, the mission seeks to create a new generation of health infrastructure that can respond to pandemics, disasters and routine health needs.
Key Developments
- Approval for construction of 9,519 building‑less Sub‑Centres transformed into Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) across the country.
- Establishment of 5,456 urban AAM (Urban Health Centres) focusing on slums and slum‑like areas.
- Creation of 2,151 Block Public Health Units (BPHUs) to strengthen block‑level service delivery.
- Setting up of 744 Integrated Public Health Labs (IPHLs), one per district.
- Installation of 621 Critical Care Hospital Blocks (CCBs) in districts with populations over 5 lakhs.
Important Facts
The scheme is a mix of Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) and Central Sector (CS) components. The CSS component alone has received administrative approval for ₹32,928.82 crore to fund the above‑listed infrastructure.
State‑wise approvals for building‑less AAMs total 9,519 units, with Rajasthan (1,112), Uttar Pradesh (1,670) and Bihar (2,546) receiving the highest allocations. Urban AAMs are concentrated in Delhi (1,139), Uttar Pradesh (674) and Karnataka (817). BPHUs are most approved for Uttar Pradesh (515) and Assam (207).
Exam Relevance
Understanding PM-ABHIM is crucial for GS 3 (Health) and GS 2 (Polity) as it illustrates the Centre‑State financial architecture, the use of CSS model, and the strategic shift towards a resilient public‑health system post‑COVID‑19. The scheme also touches upon disease surveillance, diagnostics and emergency response—key themes in disaster management and health security.
Way Forward
To overcome implementation bottlenecks—land acquisition delays, lengthy tendering, and incomplete DPRs—the Government has instituted continuous monitoring, technical support, and streamlined fund‑release mechanisms. States are urged to ensure site readiness, expedite approvals and adopt standard designs. For aspirants, tracking the progress of PM‑ABHIM will provide insights into how large‑scale health infrastructure projects are planned, financed and executed in a federal setup.