More than 27 lakh people participated in Ayushman Bharat block level Health Melas

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) in collaboration with Indian States and Union Territories celebrated the fourth anniversary of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav from April 16-22, 2022. 

The Block Health Melas commenced on April 18, 2022, across 33 States/UTs across India and these health melas served as platforms to attract thousands of people to avail quality healthcare services along with essential medicines and diagnostic services. They posed as a medium of providing health education, information on wellness lifestyle along with other healthcare services for early detection and treatment of diseases. As per reports, these melas will continue to operate till the end of the April.

The celebrations are being carried out with great enthusiasm and fervor across the country. Union Health minister, Health Minister of States/UTs, MPs, MLAs, senior officials of the Union Health Ministry, Principal Health secretaries/ Health secretaries of States/UTs, senior officials of the State Health department, representatives and local dignitaries are also visiting the AB-HWCs and creating awareness among the public reading the importance of AB-HWCs in providing affordable and accessible Health care.

According to the cumulative report of seven days of implementation, the Block health melas have been conducted in 3204 blocks. Some major activities during these melas held throughout the country in these seven days are given below:

• More than 27.31 lakh footfalls in 3204 block health melas across 33 States/UTs
• More than 3.66 lakh ABHA IDs created across India, with maximum created in Maharashtra (56,321)
• More than 1.17 lakh PMJAY golden cards created across India, with maximum created in Karnataka (22,091)
• More than 1.76 lakh teleconsultations conducted across India
• A cumulative of 6.75 lakh hypertension screenings, 6.11 lakh diabetes screenings, 2.05 lakh cataract screening done
• About 1,009 block health melas had blood donation camps & 519 had registration organ donation
• According to the information shared by states/UTs, block health melas were inaugurated by elected representatives such as Members of Parliament (MP), Members of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and Sarpanches as well as Deputy Commissioners, Chief Medical Officers and Civil Surgeons.

States planned the event and conducted unique programs like innovatively accommodating block health mela during the Ramadan month by conducting the melas at night, drawing competitions, tattoo making competitions, performing street play on health awareness, etc.