**Policy Summary: Strengthening District-Level Health Systems in India**
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is actively strengthening district-level health systems through various initiatives, primarily the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PMABHIM) and the National Health Mission (NHM). PMABHIM, launched with an outlay of ₹64,180 crore for FY 2021-2026, aims to enhance health infrastructure across primary, secondary, and tertiary care levels to effectively respond to pandemics and disasters. A key component of PMABHIM is the establishment of 602 Critical Care Hospital Blocks (CCBs) with 50-100 beds, including ICU beds, in districts with populations exceeding 5 lakhs. These blocks are being established between FY 2021-22 and FY 2025-26.
The NHM provides technical and financial support to States/UTs, based on proposals received as Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs). Proposals are approved by the Government of India as Record of Proceedings (RoPs) based on norms and available resources.
Furthermore, the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS), a comprehensive framework established by the Ministry, is being implemented to enhance the quality of healthcare services in public health facilities. NQAS focuses on service provision, patient rights, inputs, support services, clinical care, infection control, and quality management, leading to improved patient outcomes and increased public trust.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, provided this information in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on July 29, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The Union Ministry responsible for health-related policies and programs in India.
Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PMABHIM): A centrally sponsored scheme by the Indian government with an outlay of ₹64,180 crore for FY 2021-26, focused on strengthening health infrastructure.
National Health Mission: A program under which the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to States and Union Territories.
National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS): A comprehensive framework established by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to ensure and enhance the quality of healthcare services at public health facilities.
Rajya Sabha: The Upper House of the Parliament of India, where a statement related to the PMABHIM scheme was made.
Delhi: The location of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) which released the information.
Shri Prataprao Jadhav: The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare.
Critical Care Hospital Blocks (CCBs): Infrastructure component of PMABHIM with a plan to establish 602 blocks in districts with over 5 lakh population.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Steps taken to strengthen district level health system
Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health
Infrastructure Mission has been launched with
64,180 crore outlay for FY 2021–26
Under PM-ABHIM, 602 critical care hospital blocks to
be established in districts with over 5 lakh population
Posted On: 29 JUL 2025 3:53PM by PIB Delhi
Under the National Health Mission, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and
financial support to the States/UTs including strengthening of health care system based on the proposals
received in the form of Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) under National Health Mission. Government
of India provides approval for the proposal in the form of Record of Proceedings (RoPs) as per norms &
available resources.
The Government of India has successfully implemented the National Quality Assurance Standards
(NQAS) which is a comprehensive framework established by the Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare, aimed at ensuring and enhancing the quality of healthcare services provided at public
health facilities.
NQAS provides a comprehensive framework aimed at enhancing the quality of care in public health
facilities by focusing on areas such as service provision, patient rights, inputs, support services,
clinical care, infection control, quality management. This lead to better patient outcomes and
increased public trust in healthcare services.
Pradhan Mantri-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) has been launched
with an outlay of 64,180 crore over five years (FY 2021–26). The mission focuses on strengthening
the capacities of health systems across all levels—primary, secondary, and tertiary care—to ensure
effective response to current and future pandemics and disasters
Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) components of PM-ABHIM, provision has been
made to provide support for establishment of 602 Critical Care Hospital Blocks (CCBs) 50/100
bedded in all the districts with population of more than 5 lakhs during the scheme period i.e. from
FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26 including the ICU beds.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav stated this in a
written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
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MV
HFW/ Steps taken to strengthen district level health system/29 July, 2025/4(Release ID: 2149690)