Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres (HWC)
Under the Ayushman Bharat initiative, existing Sub-Centres and PHCs are being transformed into Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) to provide comprehensive primary health care that is closer to the community.
The 12 Expanded Service Packages
HWCs deliver an expanded range of services beyond the traditional focus on maternal and child health:
- Care in pregnancy and childbirth
- Neonatal and infant health care
- Child and adolescent health
- Family planning and reproductive health
- Management of communicable diseases
- Outpatient care for acute illnesses
- Screening/management of NCDs
- Screening/care for oral health
- Care for common ophthalmic problems
- Care for ENT problems
- Basic mental health services
- Geriatric and palliative health care
Key Functional Shifts
| Feature | Traditional Approach | HWC Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Maternal/Child/Communicable | Comprehensive (Life-cycle) |
| Focus | Curative/Passive | Preventive/Promotive/Curative |
| Chronic Care | Limited (Usually referral only) | Active NCD Screening & Follow-up |
High-Yield Exam Pearl:
- Community Health Officer (CHO): A key new cadre (usually a BSc Nurse/Ayurveda practitioner) trained in public health and clinical management to lead the HWC.
- Digital Integration: HWCs are linked via the eSanjeevani tele-consultation platform to connect rural patients with specialists at tertiary centers.