India's Multi-Pronged Approaches to Strengthen Health Infrastructure During COVID-19 Pandemic

The Government of India implemented several initiatives through a 'Whole of Government' approach during the COVID-19 pandemic to boost healthcare infrastructure. Key schemes launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare focused on enhancing health systems' capacities to respond to pandemics, improve healthcare facilities, and ensure resource availability.

The Government of India initiated a 'Whole of Government' approach during the COVID-19 pandemic to enhance healthcare infrastructure and meet increased demand. Multiple schemes, spearheaded by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, aimed to strengthen public health facilities across the nation.

The Pradhan Mantri - Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), launched on October 25, 2021, with an outlay of Rs. 64,180 crores, aimed to bridge critical gaps in health infrastructure, surveillance, and research, covering both urban and rural areas. This centrally-sponsored scheme also included several central sector components.

The measures under PM-ABHIM emphasized capacity-building across primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare levels to ensure preparedness for future pandemics and disasters. Support was extended to States and Union Territories for constructing Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and establishing Block Public Health Units and Integrated District Public Health Labs.

The scheme's central sector components enhanced surveillance, emergency response, research, and pandemic preparedness. The India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package (ECRP-I), worth Rs. 15,000 crores, was approved by the cabinet on April 22, 2020, to tackle COVID-19.

An additional Rs. 8473.73 crores was allocated to States and UTs under ECRP to bolster primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare facilities. The ECRP-II, approved on July 8, 2021, with an outlay of Rs. 23,123 crores, aimed at accelerating health system readiness for immediate response, focusing on pediatric care. Rs. 12740.22 crores has been disbursed under the CSS component to States and UTs.

(With inputs from agencies.)