PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) | 30 Oct 2025

Source:PIB

Why in News?

The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission  ) was launched in October 2021 to address the gaps in India’s healthcare system exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and to enhance preparedness for future health crises.

• The mission advances universal health coverage goals and aligns with SDG-3 targets.

What is PM-ABHIM?

• About: The PM-ABHIM is one of the largest nationwide health initiatives, aims to build a resilient, accessible, and self-reliant public health system capable of responding effectively to current and future health emergencies.
• Aim & Implementation:  It aims to bridge the service delivery gaps between urban and rural areas.
  • It operates under a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) component, and focuses on strengthening health infrastructure at all levels- from primary and secondary to tertiary - during FY 2021–22 to FY 2025–26. 
• One Health Approach: It emphasises disease surveillance, research, and the adoption of the One Health approach, which recognises the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health.
• Major Components of PM-ABHIM: 
  • Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs): upgrading Sub-Health and Primary Health Centres into rural (R-AAMs) and urban (U-AAMs) units for comprehensive care.
  • Block Public Health Units (BPHUs): strengthen local health administration and services.
  • Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHLs): district-level labs for advanced diagnostics and disease tracking.
  • Critical Care Hospital Blocks (CCBs): New tertiary-care units in high-population districts.
  • Health Surveillance & IT Systems:  real-time digital network connecting labs nationwide.
  • Health Research & Innovation, support for studies on infectious diseases and One Health initiatives.

• Significance:
  • Comprehensive Healthcare System Strengthening: By upgrading and establishing AAMs, IPHLs, and CCBs, the mission ensures that healthcare services are accessible to all, especially in underserved areas.
  • Expansion of Surveillance Systems: PM-ABHIM strengthens India’s disease surveillance network, providing real-time data integration from block, district, regional, and national levels.
  • Support for Universal Health Coverage (UHC): By building infrastructure and improving service delivery, PM-ABHIM aligns with India’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage and advancing the Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG-3), ensuring access to quality healthcare for all citizens.
  • Decentralized Healthcare Delivery: PM-ABHIM emphasizes local healthcare delivery by upgrading Sub-Health Centres and establishing Urban Health and Wellness Centres (U-AAMs) in slum and underserved urban areas, improving access to primary care services.

What are India’s Various Health Care Initiatives?

• National Health Mission:
  • The National Health Mission aimed to create community-owned and decentralised healthcare systems to make services accessible, affordable, and equitable, particularly for vulnerable groups.
• National Health Policy (2017):
  • The National Health Policy (2017) laid the groundwork for transforming India’s healthcare delivery system. 
  • It emphasised the importance of community-based health systems, highlighting the role of trained first responders, local self-government institutions, and community organisations in improving healthcare access and disaster preparedness.
• Ayushman Bharat Scheme (2018):
  • Building on NHM’s success, the Ayushman Bharat Scheme (2018) marked a major leap in India’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). 
  • It integrates preventive, promotive, and curative health interventions through four major pillars:
    
    • Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (AB–PMJAY)
    • Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs)
    • Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)
    • PM–Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM–ABHIM)

Conclusion

Four years after its launch, the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission has transformed India’s health landscape by investing in pandemic preparedness, infrastructure modernisation, and disease surveillance. PM-ABHIM serves as a cornerstone of the country’s efforts to build a safer, healthier, and more equitable future for all citizens.