The Pradhan Mantri–Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)

31.10.2025

1. The Pradhan Mantri–Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)

Context

Launched on October 25, 2021, by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Pradhan Mantri–Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) is a flagship pan-India initiative aimed at creating a resilient, accessible, and self-reliant public health system. The programme addresses gaps exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and aligns with India’s universal health coverage (UHC) goals and Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG-3).

Objectives

• Strengthen health infrastructure across primary, secondary, and tertiary care levels.
   
• Develop IT-enabled, real-time disease surveillance integrated from block to national levels.
   
• Enhance pandemic preparedness and rapid response capabilities.
   
• Promote health research and innovation, including the One Health approach linking human, animal, and environmental health.
   
• Reduce urban-rural healthcare inequities by creating and upgrading:
   
  • Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs)
     
  • Urban Health and Wellness Centres
     
  • Block Public Health Units
     
  • Integrated Public Health Laboratories
     
  • Critical Care Hospital Blocks
     

Financials and Implementation

• Total Outlay: ₹64,180 crore (2021–2026), under a hybrid funding model combining Centrally Sponsored and Central Sector components.
   
• Infrastructure Upgrades:
   
  • 17,788 Sub-Health Centres upgraded to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
     
  • Over 11,000 Urban AAMs in slums and underserved areas.
     
  • 3,382 Block Public Health Units.
     
  • 730 Integrated Public Health Laboratories (one per district).
     
  • 602 Critical Care Hospital Blocks in districts with populations exceeding 5 lakh.
     

Policy Framework

PM-ABHIM builds on and converges with:

• National Health Policy 2017
   
• National Health Mission (NHM)
   
• Ayushman Bharat Scheme
   

It strengthens community health systems, with trained responders working alongside local self-government and community organisations to improve disaster preparedness and public health response.

Significance

• Establishes robust healthcare infrastructure, improving India’s capacity to manage pandemics and health emergencies.
   
• Enhances access and equity in healthcare across rural and urban populations through decentralised service delivery.
   
• Advances disease surveillance for early detection, investigation, and containment of outbreaks.
   
• Supports India’s commitment to ending epidemics of communicable diseases by 2030 and achieving universal health coverage.
   

Conclusion

PM-ABHIM has significantly transformed India’s health system by investing in infrastructure, surveillance, and research, with a strong focus on pandemic preparedness and equitable healthcare delivery. The mission plays a pivotal role in building a resilient public health ecosystem, enhancing India’s health security, and advancing the country’s sustainable development goals.