All the Primary Health Centres and Health Sub Centres of the state will be upgraded as the Health Wellness Centers by the year 2022 in a phased manner. By the end of this financial year, 132 Primary Health Centres and Health Sub Centres will be established as a wellness centres.This was stated by Health and Family Welfare and Ayurveda Minister Vipin Singh Parmar, while presiding over the State Level Orientation Workshop organized to operationalise 'Health and Wellness Centers' for comprehensive primary health care under Ayushman Bharat Scheme.Health Minister said that Ayushman Bharat is an ambitious scheme that have comprehensive Primary Health Care and National Health Protection Scheme as two of its main pillars. Both the pillars together will prove as a boon to achieve the ambitious goal of 'universal health coverage'. He said that establishment of Wellness Centers in the state would bring revolutionary change in health sector. He said that primary health care is important for improving health outcomes and plays an important role in primary and secondary prevention of many ailments, which includes non-communicable diseases also. It reduces pathology and mortality at very low costs, as well as reduces the need for secondary and tertiary care.
Vipin Singh Parmar said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi with an aim of providing social security and health protection cover to 50 crore people of the country by introducing Jan Agogya Yojana. He said that more than 21 lakh people of Himachal Pradesh have come under health insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakhs under Ayushman Bharat. He said that the scheme 'Him Care' has also been launched in the state for those who were not covered under Ayushman Bharat Scheme and the codal formalities have already completed.Health Minister said that the schemes would be meaningful only if reach the ground and benefit the targeted group of society. The role of Doctors was very important and they should work in a missionary zeal. He said that after god people consider the doctor as life saviours and to maintain this credibility it was very important to honestly serve humanity. He said that every functionary should give his 100 percent to the society in order to maintain their perception. He said that the state has received the first prize in the Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Yojana. Apart from this, four other awards have been received for outstanding performance in the health sector, which are self explanatory in advancement in health services in the state.
He complimented the Doctors and Para-medics for this and said that miles to go to come up to the expectations of the people.Vipin Singh Parmar said that the Wellness Centers have been established in Samot and Sundla of Chamba district and this scheme will be fully operationalised in the state very soon. He said that on 14th and 17th of this month, a walk-in-interview were organized in the Medical College Tanda and IGMC Shimla for Doctors and such interview is also being organized in Solan. The shortage of doctors in the state will be overcome soon and the process of establishment of wellness centres will get accelerated. He said that around 350 posts of doctors are being filled through these interviews and in the coming time, there will definitely be no shortage of doctors in the state even become surplus.Executive Director, NHSRC, GoI, Dr. Rajani Vaidya, gave a detailed presentation on the operationalization of the Wellness Centers. She said that the concept of wellness centers will solve the problem of excessive burden and pressure on district hospitals and medical colleges.He said that this concept would reduce the cost of treatment. She stressed the need to give yoga a suitable place in the Wellness Centers.
He said that it is necessary to provide training to all Para Medical staff, Asha Workers, including doctors for smooth and better operation of the Centers.Dr. Rajani said Himachal Pradesh have tough topographical conditions and it is a commendable step to start Telemedicine system of treatment. She detailed the formalities, needs and operations of the Wellness Centers .Special Secretary Health Nipun Jindal said that the priority of the state government was to ensure the accessibility and affordability of health needs to all the people. He said that special emphasis has been given on qualitative treatment. In all the health institutions, proper arrangements of basic facilities, infrastructure and equipments are being provided in a phased manner.Advisor to the NHSRC, GoI, Dr. Garima Gupta also shared information on the establishment and operation of health and Wellness Centers on this occasion.Mission Director National Health Mission, Man Mohan Sharma, welcomed and highlighted the implementation of the Wellness Centers in the state. Nodal officer of the State Wellness Center Dr. P.C. Dharoch presented vote of thanks.Chief Medical Officers, District Nodal Officers and District Program Officers from over the State besides senior officers of State Health Department were present on the occasion.