Health ministry asks states to prioritise all PHCs, turn them into wellness centres

The key objective of the meeting was to come to a shared and common understanding of the multiple components to enable HWC to deliver comprehensive primary healthcare, and obtain inputs to the draft operational guidelines.

It emphasised the critical importance of selecting motivated candidates as mid-level health providers and strengthening the primary healthcare team including the multi-purpose workers (male and female) and ASHA.

"The importance of the shift from selective to comprehensive primary healthcare, the uninterrupted availability of medicines for chronic diseases, and the criticality in establishing a seamless continuum of care, to build trust and confidence in the public health system and in reducing out of pocket expenditure were highlighted," the statement said.

The presentations also drew attention to the platforms created under the National Health Mission which could be effectively leveraged to operationalise and scale up HWC.

States were asked to provide inputs to the draft operational guidelines which are expected to be finalized soon, and to undertake orientation of state and district teams on the concept and vision of delivering comprehensive primary health care through the Health and Wellness Centres.