Why in news?
Four years after its launch, the Pradhan Mantri–Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM‑ABHIM) has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s public health strategy. In October 2025 the Ministry of Health highlighted progress under the scheme, including thousands of upgraded health facilities and a nationwide disease‑surveillance network.
Background
PM‑ABHIM was launched in October 2021 in the wake of the COVID‑19 pandemic. It aims to develop a resilient, accessible and self‑reliant public health system capable of responding to future outbreaks. With an outlay of ₹64,180 crore for 2021–26, the mission builds upon the National Health Policy 2017, the National Health Mission and the Ayushman Bharat scheme. It integrates human, animal and environmental health (the One Health approach) and aligns with global commitments under the World Health Organisation’s 2025 Pandemic Agreement.
Key components
- Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs): Sub‑Health Centres and Urban Primary Health Centres are upgraded into AAMs to provide comprehensive primary care, including maternal, child and non‑communicable disease services. Over 17,700 rural centres and 11,000 urban AAMs have been approved.
- Block Public Health Units (BPHUs): More than 3,300 units are being established to strengthen block‑level public health administration, including disease surveillance and programme management.
- Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHLs): Each district is to have an IPHL for diagnostics and surveillance. Around 730 laboratories are being set up to detect and respond to outbreaks.
- Critical Care Hospital Blocks (CCBs): In districts with populations exceeding five lakh, 602 critical care blocks are under construction to increase intensive‑care capacity. These 50‑ or 100‑bed units will be equipped with ventilators, oxygen plants and specialist staff.
- Disease surveillance network: An IT‑enabled, real‑time surveillance system connects block, district, regional and national laboratories to detect, investigate and prevent outbreaks. This network complements the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme and uses digital tools for reporting and analytics.
- Research and innovation: Funding is provided for research on emerging pathogens, genome sequencing and vaccines. The mission also supports the development of new diagnostics and therapeutics under the One Health framework.
Funding and implementation
- Outlay: Of the ₹64,180 crore allocated, about ₹54,200 crore is for the Centrally Sponsored Scheme component (shared by the Centre and States), while ₹9,340 crore is for Central Sector activities such as national institutions and research.
- Approvals: By October 2025 administrative approvals worth over ₹32,900 crore had been issued to States and Union Territories to build AAMs, BPHUs, IPHLs and CCBs.
- Integration with other schemes: PM‑ABHIM complements the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (health insurance), the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and the National Health Mission, creating a continuum of care from community‑level services to hospital‑based treatment.
Importance
- Pandemic preparedness: By expanding health infrastructure and surveillance systems, India can respond more quickly and effectively to future pandemics.
- Universal health coverage: The mission brings primary, secondary and critical care services closer to people’s homes, particularly in rural and underserved urban areas.
- Global alignment: PM‑ABHIM aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (good health and well‑being) and the WHO Pandemic Agreement, which emphasises equitable access to vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics.
Conclusion
PM‑ABHIM represents a comprehensive effort to transform India’s health infrastructure. By upgrading health facilities, building surveillance networks and supporting research, the mission aims to ensure that India is better prepared for future health emergencies while moving toward universal health coverage.
Source: DD India