India launches Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. Describing the initiative taken by the government under the new Mission, the Prime Minister said that there are three major aspects of the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission to address the different gaps in the health sector of the country. The first is related to the creation of elaborate facilities for diagnostics and treatment. Under this, Health and Wellness Centres are being opened in villages and cities, where there will be facilities for early detection of diseases. The second aspect of the scheme is related to the testing network for the diagnosis of diseases. Under this mission, the necessary infrastructure will be developed for the diagnosis and monitoring of diseases. 730 districts of the country will get integrated public health labs and 3000 blocks will get block public health units. The third aspect is the expansion of existing research institutions that study pandemics. Existing 80 viral diagnostic and research labs will be strengthened, 15 biosafety level 15 labs will be operationalised, four new National Institutes of Virology and a National Institute for One Health are being established. WHO regional research platform for South Asia will also strengthen this network.