From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, May 18: Karnataka has emerged as the best state and ranked No.1 in establishing health and wellness centres under Ayushman Bharat Program to provide comprehensive primary health care in rural areas.

Karnataka leads in implementing the project for the year 2020-21 as per the State’s Health and Family Welfare department.

Expressing satisfaction regarding this achievement, Health and Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar said Karnataka has emerged as the best State in implementing Health and wellness centres.

It will enable the rural population to avail quality health care at their neighbourhood. HWCs are providing good service in this regard. "I congratulate all the officials and staff for this achievement,’’ he said.

Health department is focused more on controlling Covid at this point of time. The State Government is also facing revenue crunch due to economic slowdown caused by pandemic.

However, the economic slowdown and shortfall in revenue collection has not stopped from implementing developmental projects. Even though our short to medium term goal is to tackle pandemic, our long term goal and ultimate aim is to strengthen PHCs which are the building blocks of our public healthcare system, said the Minister.

The Union government had set a target of establishing 2,263 HWC sub centres and Karnataka has already upgraded 3,300 centres till March 31. It is 146% more than the set target.

Centre has given the target of upgrading 2,096 PHC to HWC and the State has upgraded 2,168 so far, which is 103% more than the set target.

Also against the target of upgrading 294 urban PHCs, State has already upgraded 364 PHCs. This is 124% more than the set target.

A total of 4,653 HWC have to be established in the state as given by the Centre out of which 5,832 have been established, which is 125% more than the given target.

With an objective of providing quality health care for all under Ayushman Bharat – Arogya Karnataka scheme, all PHCs are being upgraded under National Health Mission. Karnataka has a target of upgrading 11,595 Centres as HWCs.

Counselling sessions for adults, public Yoga camps, providing temporary and permanent family planning methods to couples, ENT care, First aid during emergency and referring to tertiary hospitals are some of the services being offered in these centres.