Over 16 cr people screened for seven types of diseases since Sept 17

New Delhi [India], December 15 (ANI): Over 16 crore people have undergone screening for seven types of diseases, which include TB, hypertension, diabetes, oral cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer and cataracts, since September 17.

In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at delivering healthcare services to the last mile of India, President Droupadi Murmu virtually launched the ‘Ayushman Bhav’ campaign as well as the Ayushman Bhava Portal, from Gandhinagar, Gujarat, on September 13, 2023.

“Since September 17, 2023, over 16 crores (16,03,17,875) people have undergone screening for seven types of diseases, which include TB, hypertension, diabetes, oral cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer and cataracts. 1,12,87,779 people have benefited from free screening for these seven diseases in the week ending December 10, 2023,” the Ministry said.

To facilitate further access to Ayushman Cards, generate ABHA IDs and raise awareness about vital health schemes and disease conditions, such as non-communicable diseases, tuberculosis, and sickle cell disease, health melas have been set up in various parts of the country since September 17, 2023.

These health camps are designed to inform and empower citizens about the government’s flagship schemes, aim to create awareness and deliver the benefits of welfare programmes directly to the people.

In the week from December 4, 2023, to December 10, 2023, 73,963 Ayushman Arogya Mandir Health Melas have been organised and reported, while a total of 11,48,855 Ayushman Arogya Mandir Health Melas have been reported since the beginning of the campaign on September 17, 2023, it added.

These health melas have generated a cumulative footfall of 8,25,14,633 people, while 58,85,737 people attended these melas in the week ending December 10, 2023, it stated.

Under Community Health Centres (CHCs), 32,792 health melas have been completed so far, registering a total of 1,30,39,084 people.

A total of 34,49,204 Ayushman Cards have been created at the Health Melas so far, while 27,023 cards were generated in the week ending December 10, 2023. The generation of ABHA (Health ID) cards has reported a cumulative figure of 40,81,135, it added.

The ‘Ayushman Bhav’ initiative is envisaged to saturate all health care services in every village or town in line with the commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure reach to the last mile and enable access to health care services for everyone in society.

‘Ayushman Bhav’ initiative involves a set of interventions that include ‘Ayushman – Apke Dwar 3.0’, ‘Ayushman Sabhas’, ‘Ayushman Melas-at Health and Wellness Level and Medical Camps by Medical Colleges at CHCs’, and eventually ensuring Gram/Nagar Panchayat or Urban Ward to attain the status of ‘Ayushman Panchayat’ or ‘Ayushman Urban Ward’ in saturation mode.