Govt health clinics in Kerala to be renamed as 'Arogya Mandirs' with the tagline 'Arogyam Parmam Dhanam'
Kerala are set to undergo a name change. As per a TOI report, the Centre has issued directives under the Aalthyushman Bharat scheme, mandating the transformation of these health centres into 'Ayushman Arogya Mandir,' accompanied by the tagline 'Arogyam Parmam Dhanam.'
Over 5,000 sub-centres have already been upgraded to public health centres, and efforts are underway to convert 886 primary health centres into family health centres (FHCs) as part of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, with 700 already transitioned into FHCs.
The circular, issued by L S Changsan, additional secretary and mission director, National Health Mission, mandates the renaming of all these health facilities as Ayushman Arogya Mandir.
This move aligns with the Centre's announcement in February 2018 to establish 1,50,000 health and wellness centres (HWCs) by transforming existing sub-centres and primary health centres under Ayushman Bharat. The focus was on converting these sub-centres into Janakeeya Arogya Kendras and primary health centres into family health centres, aiming to provide comprehensive primary health care (CPHC) closer to people's homes.
These centres cover maternal and child health services, as well as non-communicable diseases, offering free essential drugs and diagnostic services.
However, the Centre's share for the National Health Mission (NHM) in the state is pending, as it claims that the state has not completed the Ayushman Bharat branding of health centres as per the directive. The NHM in the state has been actively working on completing the branding, with 98% already accomplished.
A report has been submitted to the Union health ministry, but the file has been pending for the past two months.
Health minister Veena George has
