“Health is wealth” is a widely recognized phrase. However, health is also a fundamental pillar of basic necessities, alongside food, shelter, and clothing. India is at a stage where Vision 2047 stands as the ultimate goal, aiming to elevate the nation from every angle. While the economy is a key driver of development, strengthening the foundation at the micro level is equally crucial. In a country with a population of approximately 140 crore, developing the healthcare sector with precision is essential. Otherwise, fundamental social needs will remain unfulfilled. As we know, if people lack access to adequate healthcare, it will passively yet negatively impact the nation’s overall development. In India, the health policy adopted by the government in 2017 focused on comprehensive healthcare development. The Union Government began supporting States in developing infrastructure, alongside advancements in modern research and technology. In 2013-14, government health expenditure, including both State and Central contributions, stood at 1.15% of GDP. By the time the policy was introduced, it had risen to 1.35%, and it now stands at 1.84%. At this stage, the target of 2.5% is steadily approaching. Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda has mentioned this progress in the recent discussion on 19th March, 2025 at Rajya Sabha. Additionally, it was reported that 1.75 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are now functional across the country, catering to 369 crore visits by people seeking primary healthcare. It is now evident that healthcare expenditure is consistently increasing at every stage. As we also mention to treat our “Health as a Temple,” and in this spirit, the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are making a significant impact as primary health centers. Through the Centre’s strategy to combat non-communicable diseases, these health facilities are playing a crucial role in strengthening the nation’s healthcare framework.

Explaining health issues is one thing, but truly understanding and diagnosing them is where the real challenge lies. For people in remote areas, reaching a health center for treatment is often not feasible—not just due to economic barriers but also because of social struggles. Keeping this in mind, the Government of India, under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), launched the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) in 2018 as part of the Ayushman Bharat initiative. Later, in the Union Budget 2023-24, they were renamed “Ayushman Arogya Mandirs” under the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (AB-HIM) to further strengthen primary healthcare. The first Ayushman Arogya Mandir was launched in Bijapur, Chhattisgarh, on April 18, 2018. In its first year, over 17,000 centers became operational—exceeding the target of 15,000 set for FY 2018-19. This initiative marks a shift from selective healthcare to comprehensive services covering preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care. It has two complementary components, first; Ayushman Arogya Mandirs – A total of 1,50,000 centers was objectivised to establish for providing universal and free Comprehensive Primary Health Care, with a focus on wellness and bringing expanded healthcare services closer to communities. Second; Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) – Objectivised health insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh per year to over 10 crore poor and vulnerable families for secondary and tertiary care.
Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are envisioned to deliver an expanded range of healthcare services beyond maternal and child health care, including non-communicable disease management, palliative and rehabilitative care, oral, eye, and ENT care, mental health support, and first-level care for emergencies and trauma. These centers also provide free essential drugs and diagnostic services.
The expansion of services is planned incrementally. As a first step, screening, prevention, control, and management of non-communicable diseases and chronic communicable diseases like tuberculosis and leprosy have been introduced at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.

Services offered at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs:

1. Care during pregnancy and childbirth
2. Neonatal and infant health care services
3. Childhood and adolescent health care services
4. Family planning, contraceptive services, and other reproductive health care services
5. Management of communicable diseases under National Health Programs
6. General outpatient care for common communicable diseases, acute simple illnesses, and minor ailments
7. Screening, prevention, control, and management of non-communicable diseases and chronic communicable diseases like TB and leprosy
8. Basic oral health care
9. Care for common ophthalmic and ENT problems
10. Elderly and palliative health care services
11. Emergency medical services
12. Screening and basic management of mental health ailments

One of the key objectives is to screen individuals for hypertension, blood pressure, and diabetes from the age of 30. However, oral check-ups, dental health, and mental health assessments are also included. As of now, hypertension screenings have reached 100 crore, while diabetes screenings have increased to 88.5 crore, reflecting the government’s strategic approach to combating non-communicable diseases. Development in any sector is not just about the end goal; it is about strengthening the foundation. Similarly, in healthcare, reaching the grassroots, listening to communities, and ensuring access to primary healthcare is essential. Increasing health expenditure is not just about achieving targets; it is about building a healthier India.

A healthy smile is like the bright sun, and its radiance reflects the well-being of the entire day. Struggling with health issues remains one of the biggest challenges for common people. While medical advancements and major thought processes often focus on complex surgeries and transplants, the real battle begins with silent killers—non-communicable diseases like hypertension and diabetes, which ultimately impact mental health. These conditions often go unnoticed, making it difficult for the common person to understand their origins and consequences. A unique and engaging initiative is the effort to bring a hospital to the doorstep, ensuring early detection and timely intervention. The Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, backed by infrastructure development, research, and evaluation, are designed to fulfill this purpose. The integration of research and evaluation into their development will provide real-time analysis, helping assess the impact of increased healthcare expenditure and the overall health situation of the community. Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) play a crucial role in analyzing health outcomes and creating platforms for skilling and training healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and ASHAs. Beyond just increasing expenditure, collaboration ensures sustainability, making a lasting impact on India’s healthcare sector.

Considering the impact, this initiative will significantly improve healthcare access in underserved areas, reduce out-of-pocket expenditure (OOP) for medical treatment, and enable early detection and treatment of diseases, ultimately lowering mortality rates. Most importantly, it will enhance public trust in government healthcare facilities. Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are conducting screenings for oral cancer, breast cancer in women, and cervical cancer for individuals aged 30 and above. The Union Health Minister has also mentioned that 14.60 crore women have been screened for breast cancer, leading to the detection of 57,000 cases, with treatment already underway. Similarly, 9.04 crore women have been screened for cervical cancer, identifying 97,000 cases, with treatment initiated.

However, to sustain and scale this impact, key challenges must be addressed, including the availability of doctors, nurses, and trained staff to ensure smooth execution in remote regions. A critical aspect of this initiative is the integration of digital solutions, ensuring better connectivity for telemedicine services and expanding outreach. Bridging these gaps is not just about improving healthcare access—it also opens avenues for employment opportunities in the sector. As per the government’s vision, the running 10 years will witness the establishment of 22 new AIIMS, providing expanded medical infrastructure and creating numerous job opportunities in the healthcare sector.

It’s now clearer than ever why increasing healthcare spending isn’t just necessary—it’s life-changing. Reaching the remotest corners of the country is important, but what truly makes a difference is listening to people’s voices and understanding their needs at the grassroots level. When communities feel heard, healthcare doesn’t just become a service—it becomes a lifeline. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) often creep into people’s lives unnoticed, slowly affecting their well-being. That’s why strengthening primary healthcare through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs is so crucial. Change has to happen from both ends—the bottom-up approach ensures communities get the care they need, while the top-down approach helps identify challenges, drive impact, and create much-needed job opportunities in healthcare. Investing in healthcare isn’t just about numbers—it’s about building trust in the system. When people see better access, improved facilities, and dedicated professionals, they regain confidence in government healthcare. But this can’t be done alone. Community participation and private sector involvement are key to making this change sustainable and long-lasting. By strengthening preventive, promotive, and curative healthcare, we’re not just treating illnesses—we’re building a healthier, stronger India where quality healthcare isn’t a privilege, but a right.

-Somnath Dutta
Sr. Manager: Communication and Policy Engagement