Not just medicines, but yoga too: How these new centres will plug the gaps

Gurgaon: The National Health Policy 2017 envisioned setting up of health and wellness centres (HWCs) across the country as the first line of medical care and treatment. The clinics, which are part of the central government’s Ayushman Bharat scheme, were first rolled out in Chhattisgarh in 2018.
What are HWCs?
HWCs are meant to be located near residential areas and offer a range of medical facilities other than just basic treatment. For instance, these clinics will provide diagnostic services and specialist care (ENT, dental, ophthalmology and mental health) — all of it free of cost.
How are they different from existing primary healthcare centres?
PHCs have limited focus on wellbeing and preventive care, while these are among the key components of an HWC’s functioning. For example, HWCs address risk factors for chronic ailments and focus on screening of diseases. Yoga, too, is encouraged as a lifestyle choice.
“The facility of tele-consultation with specialists is available at HWCs with all required logistics and internet connectivity. Yoga classes will be held and 12 wellness packages for adolescent health, mental health, family planning, oral healthcare, palliative care, etc. will be provided at the clinics to be opened,” said Prabhjot Singh, health and mission director of NHM, Haryana.
How many HWCs are
active across India?
According to central government data, there are 1.5 lakh HWCs in the country. In 2018, there were 15,000. The number of such clinics steadily rose to 40,000 in 2019, 70,000 in 2020, 1.1 lakh in 2021 and 1.5 lakh in 2022.
What about HWCs in
Haryana?
There are 2,034 Ayushman Bharat HWCs in the state, most of which are in rural areas and were PHCs that were converted into HWCs. The state government is working to set up 187 new urban HWCs. Each of these clinics — a majority of which (80) will be in Gurgaon — is estimated to cost Rs 70 lakh.
“By the end of this financial year, NHM Haryana will be able to convert 1,812 sub-health centers to Health and Wellness Centers, while establishing 187 urban HWCs. In Nuh, 18 rural-PHCs and 80 sub-centres existing in government buildings have been transformed into HWCs. NHM Haryana has just completed the recruitment for 787 community health officers,” Singh said, adding that around 527 more CHOs will be hired soon.