SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Institutions: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) | National Health Authority (NHA)
In a response to Rajya Sabha written questions on 3 February 2026, the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare expressed that ‘Public Health’ and ‘Hospitals’ are State subjects, and State Governments are primarily responsible for ensuring the availability of doctors and healthcare resources. The Central Government, however, supports States and Union Territories through centrally sponsored schemes and national missions to strengthen medical education, human resources, primary healthcare, and financial protection.
1. Addressing Doctor and Healthcare Workforce Shortages
157 Government medical colleges approved under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme; 137 are already functional, prioritising underserved and aspirational districts.
Under the National Health Mission (NHM), States receive financial and technical support for:
Hard-area allowances and specialist honorariums
Flexible pay (“You Quote We Pay”) to attract specialists
Non-monetary incentives like PG admission preference
Multi-skilling and continuous upgradation of doctors
Central hospitals reported vacancies across doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff, underscoring ongoing staffing gaps.
2. Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs): Primary Care Expansion
1,82,944 AAMs operationalised as of 31 December 2025.
Service expansion includes 12 comprehensive primary healthcare packages.
Drug and diagnostic availability:
PHC-AAMs: 172 drugs, 63 diagnostics
SHC-AAMs: 106 drugs, 14 diagnostics
Coverage includes 30,817 AAMs in tribal districts and 24,327 in aspirational districts.
3. AB–PMJAY and Digital Health Coverage
15,733 private hospitals empanelled under AB–PMJAY; 1,259 in aspirational districts.
8.79 crore ABHA cards created in FY 2025–26 (as of 28 Jan 2026), strengthening digital health interoperability.
4. Ayushman Vay Vandana: Senior Citizen Coverage
96.73 lakh Vay Vandana cards issued nationwide.
10.33 lakh hospital admissions authorised, amounting to ₹2,154.37 crore.
Gender split: 3.93 lakh female and 6.40 lakh male admissions.
Policy Relevance
Together, these initiatives reinforce India’s shift towards a comprehensive, decentralised and digitally enabled health system, combining supply-side expansion with demand-side financial protection. The integration of workforce incentives, primary care strengthening, and insurance-based access aligns with India’s goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage while reducing regional and socio-economic disparities.
Health Equity: Improved access in tribal and aspirational districts.
System Capacity: Expansion of medical education and a multi-skilled workforce.
Primary Care First: Reduced burden on tertiary hospitals via AAMs.
Digital Health Scale: ABHA as a backbone for continuity of care.
Elderly Security: Dedicated financial protection for senior citizens.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: How can States better integrate workforce incentives under NHM with the expanding Ayushman Arogya Mandir network to ensure that infrastructure growth translates into sustained service quality, especially in tribal and aspirational districts?
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