Primary centers to be converted to wellness centers

HYDERABAD: Union Health Minister JP Nadda has said that 1.5 lakh Primary Health Centers and sub-centers would be converted into wellness centers by 2022. Speaking at the 20^th anniversary celebrations of L V Prasad Eye Institutes community eye arm, GPR International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eye Care here, Nadda said the Centers flagship Ayushman Bharat-National Health Protection Mission from September 23.

“The Government of India has decided to convert all our sub-centers and PHCs into Wellness centers. And the number is 150,000. Last year we converted 4,000 sub-centers. This year we are converting 50,000 centers, Next year we will be converting 30,000 centers, next to next year 40,000.

This is how by 2022 we will be converting 1.5 lakh sub-centers into wellness centers,” he said. He said these centers facilitate screening of every individual aged 30 for blood pressure, diabetes, tuberculosis, breast cancer and leprosy, among others. Nadda sought the support of the private sector for offering better health care to the people. E S L Narasimhan, Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, among others, spoke at the function. PTI