The number of people benefiting from the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) has increased to 5,81,813 beneficiaries in 2023-24 as compared to 3,39,588 beneficiaries in 2022-23. Under NAPDDR, during the current financial year 2024-25 (as on 19.03.2025), a total number of 6,47,799 beneficiaries have availed services at the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment supported treatment and rehabilitation centres.
As informed by Narcotics Control Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, the comparative details of drug seizures effected by all Drug Law Enforcement Agencies (DLEAs) during last three years and the details of drug seizures (cases & quantity of drug seized) effected along Indo-Pak bordering States viz; Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan & Gujarat is enclosed as Annexure-I.
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) was launched on 15th August 2020 by Department of Social Justice & Empowerment in 272 identified most vulnerable districts and now it is being implemented in all districts of the country. Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan has reached out to the masses and spread awareness about substance use with focus on higher educational Institutions, university campuses & schools. Till now, through the various activities undertaken under NMBA, 14.79+ crore people have been sensitized on substance use including 4.96+ crore youth and 2.97+ crore women. Participation of 4.16+ lakh educational institutions has ensured that the message of the Abhiyaan reaches children and youth of the country. Since launch of NMBA, the number of people benefiting from the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR) has increased to 5,81,813 beneficiaries in 2023-24 as compared to 2,08,415 beneficiaries in 2020-21.
A National Toll-free Helpline for de-addiction, 14446 is being maintained by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment for providing primary counselling and immediate referral services to the persons seeking help through this helpline. This Helpline has been integrated with Tele Mental Health Assistance & Networking Across States (Tele MANAS) helpline of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) to ensure that the help seekers get psychosocial support and counselling services to individuals in need. Tele MANAS is an initiative launched by MoHFW in October, 2022 to provide free Tele-mental health services all over the country round the clock.
As informed by Narcotics Control Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs, the Government of India has taken significant steps to improve coordination and cooperation with neighbouring countries for better border control mechanism. The details are enclosed as Annexure-II.
This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT, SHRI B.L. VERMA, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
The Government is organizing Divya Kala Melas on a larger scale under the Awareness Generation & Publicity Scheme [sub-scheme under Scheme for Implementation of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 (SIPDA)] for awareness generation and to provide a platform to Divyangjan to promote the sale of the products made by them.
So far, 24 Divya Kala Melas have been organized since December, 2022 across the country. Around 1550 Divyang entrepreneurs and artisans have benefitted through participation in these Divya Kala Melas wherein sales worth Rs 16.80 crore were made by them. During these Melas, loans worth Rs.17.42 Crore were sanctioned to 919 Divyangjan under the National Divyangjan Finance Development Corporation (NDFDC) loan scheme.
This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT, SHRI B.L. VERMA, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
The Government has implemented significant measures to expand the number of libraries under the National Accessible Library Initiative, ensuring that visually impaired individuals have access to learning materials in various accessible formats. Currently, 16 libraries are empanelled with Sugamya Pustakalaya, a digital repository of accessible books. The National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD) has partnered with the DAISY Forum of India (DFI) to facilitate this online repository for persons with visual disabilities.
To further enhance accessibility, NIEPVD has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with several leading universities and institutions, including Vardhman Mahaveer Open University (Kota, Rajasthan), Subhas Open University (Kolkata), Uttarakhand Open University, and Indian Institute of Teacher Education (IITE), University for Teacher Education Gandhinagar (Gujarat State University of Teacher Education). These partnerships aim to develop accessible book collections in their respective libraries for individuals with visual impairments.
In collaboration with National Book Trust (NBT), New Delhi, NIEPVD has established a Universal Design Centre for Reading in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. This center showcases NBT’s extensive collection of accessible publications for visually impaired persons. Additionally, NIEPVD has partnered with NAB, Delhi, to create Shravan, an IVR-based audio library for the visually impaired.
To raise awareness and increase the number of accessible libraries, NIEPVD Dehradun regularly organizes seminars and conferences involving government, semi-government, college, university, and NGO stakeholders. These ongoing efforts demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving access to literature and educational resources for visually impaired individuals across India.
The National Accessible Library (NAL) plays a vital role in increasing institutional membership across India, thereby enhancing access to inclusive reading resources. During the last 3 years, the number of institutional memberships has reached 18, covering the following States/UTs:West Bengal-07, Maharashtra-03, Uttar Pradesh-01, Mizoram –01, Punjab-01, Haryana-01, Kerala-02, Uttarakhand-01 and Jammu Kashmir- 01).
The Government is providing free of cost Braille Text-Books, and educational materials in Braille format and other accessible formats (E-Pub, Talking Book, Large print) under “Project on Financial Support for Development of Accessible Learning Materials (DALM; erstwhile Braille Press Project)” through 25 implementing agencies spread all over the country. Since 2014, 13,68,01,098 Braille pages have been embossed and distributed to student with visual impairment under the DALM project.
Furthermore, to expand the linguistic range of Braille literature, the Standard Bharati Braille Codes mapped with Unicode for 13 Indian languages has been published on 4th January 2025 in collaboration with NIEPVD, Dehradun. The Government is actively pursuing the expansion of Braille libraries and multilingual literature for visually impaired readers through initiatives such as:
Increasing the number of digitally accessible libraries under the National Accessible Library Initiative.
Enhancing the availability of books in Braille and other accessible formats across multiple Indian languages.
Strengthening partnerships with organizations like the National Book Trust (NBT), Sugamya Pustakalaya, and Daisy Forum of India to expand the scope of accessible literature.
This information was provided by UNION MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT, SHRI B.L. VERMA, in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
External merchandise trade statistics for February 2025 Due to the difference in timing of the Chinese New Year holidays, it is more appropriate to analyse the trade figures for January and February taken together in making year-on-year comparison.
Taking January and February of 2025 together, the value of total exports of goods increased by 6.5% over the same period in 2024. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 5.7%. A visible trade deficit of $34.6 billion, equivalent to 4.6% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in the first two months of 2025.
In February 2025, the value of total exports of goods increased by 15.4% over a year earlier to $327.9 billion, after a year-on-year increase by 0.1% in January 2025. Concurrently, the value of imports of goods increased by 11.8% over a year earlier to $364.2 billion in February 2025, after a year-on-year increase by 0.5% in January 2025. A visible trade deficit of $36.3 billion, equivalent to 10.0% of the value of imports of goods, was recorded in February 2025.
Comparing the three-month period ending February 2025 with the preceding three months on a seasonally adjusted basis, the value of total exports of goods increased by 8.6%. Meanwhile, the value of imports of goods increased by 3.4%.
Analysis by country/territory
Comparing February 2025 with February 2024, total exports to Asia as a whole grew by 25.0%. In this region, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Vietnam (+114.2%), Taiwan (+73.0%), the Philippines (+32.3%) and the mainland of China (the Mainland) (+29.5%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of total exports to India (-29.8%).
Apart from destinations in Asia, decreases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations in other regions, in particular the Netherlands (-44.7%) and the USA (-18.5%). On the other hand, an increase was recorded in the value of total exports to the United Kingdom (+61.0%).
Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from some major suppliers, in particular France (+77.9%), the United Kingdom (+77.6%), Vietnam (+52.4%), Taiwan (+42.6%), Malaysia (+41.7%) and the Mainland (+18.1%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from Korea (-31.4%).
For the first two months of 2025 as a whole, increases were registered in the values of total exports to some major destinations, in particular Vietnam (+89.9%), Taiwan (+29.2%), Singapore (+18.3%) and the Mainland (+10.9%). On the other hand, decreases were recorded in the values of total exports to the United Arab Emirates (-38.2%) and India (-25.6%).
Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports from some major suppliers, in particular France (+106.7%), the United Kingdom (+58.7%), Vietnam (+50.4%), Malaysia (+48.1%), Taiwan (+39.9%) and the Mainland (+2.0%). On the other hand, a decrease was recorded in the value of imports from Korea (-25.3%).
Analysis by major commodity
Comparing February 2025 with February 2024, increases were registered in the values of total exports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $27.3 billion or +20.8%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $20.5 billion or +68.9%).
Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of most principal commodity divisions, in particular “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $23.2 billion or +16.9%) and “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $16.6 billion or +76.3%).
For the first two months of 2025 as a whole, increases were registered in the values of total exports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $35.5 billion or +53.2%) and “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $23.0 billion or +7.3%).
Over the same period of comparison, increases were registered in the values of imports of some principal commodity divisions, in particular “office machines and automatic data processing machines” (by $30.5 billion or +63.3%) and “electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances, and electrical parts thereof” (by $30.2 billion or +10.1%).
Commentary
A Government spokesman said that Hong Kong’s merchandise exports continued to see solid increase in general in early 2025. Taking the first two months of 2025 together to remove the effect of the earlier arrival of the Chinese New Year this year, the value of merchandise exports grew by 6.5% over a year earlier. Exports to the Mainland increased visibly, and those to many other Asian markets also increased. Exports to the United States rose marginally, while those to the European Union declined.
Looking ahead, the tariff measures introduced so far by the United States and the uncertainties surrounding protectionist policies would continue to pose challenges to Hong Kong’s merchandise trade performance. Nevertheless, the sustained growth in global economy in particular the Mainland economy, should render support to Hong Kong’s exports. The Government will monitor the situation closely.
Further information
Table 1 presents the analysis of external merchandise trade statistics for February 2025. Table 2 presents the original monthly trade statistics from January 2022 to February 2025, and Table 3 gives the seasonally adjusted series for the same period.
The values of total exports of goods to 10 main destinations for February 2025 are shown in Table 4, whereas the values of imports of goods from 10 main suppliers are given in Table 5.
Tables 6 and 7 show the values of total exports and imports of 10 principal commodity divisions for February 2025.
All the merchandise trade statistics described here are measured at current prices and no account has been taken of changes in prices between the periods of comparison. A separate analysis of the volume and price movements of external merchandise trade for February 2025 will be released in mid-April 2025.
The new energy storage system adds power for renewable energy! In response to international energy transitions and net-zero emission trends, Taipower is actively developing diverse energy solutions. To strengthen grid resilience, Taipower previously implemented a 20-MW energy storage system at the Tainan Salt Fields Solar Farm and the Kaohsiung Luyuan Substation, as well as a 60-MW energy storage system at the Longtan Extra-High Voltage (EHV) Substation earlier this year. Now, Taipower has launched another heavyweight 60-MW energy storage system at the Dongshan site in Yilan. At the November 20 inauguration ceremony, Taipower representatives highlighted that energy storage systems, with their rapid charging and discharging capabilities, can support frequency regulation when integrating renewable energy into the grid. Moreover, they provide immediate stable power during unexpected power events to enhance the stability and flexibility of the power system.
On November 20, Taipower held the Sustainable Energy Storage, Stable Grid inauguration ceremony for the Dongshan Energy Storage System at the Dongshan EHV Substation in Yilan. The event was attended by distinguished guests, including Taipower Vice President Hsiao Sheng-Jen, Tatung Group President Brian Shen, and Tatung Forever Energy President Huang Yun-Wei, who jointly witnessed the milestone.
This project was the result of a collaboration between Taipower and Tatung Forever Energy, a pioneering enterprise in domestic energy storage applications. Leveraging Tatung Group’s expertise and resources in the power and energy sector, the two companies established 23 energy storage containers at the Dongshan EHV Substation, covering an area of approximately 1,600 pings (about 5,300 square meters). The resulting 60-MW/85-MWh energy storage system has a storage capacity of 85,000 kWh, which is sufficient to meet the electricity needs of approximately 8,000 households for an entire day.
Due to their ability to transfer energy and respond rapidly, energy storage systems have become a powerful new tool for enhancing grid resilience. The Dongshan energy storage system utilizes Enhanced Dynamic Regulation (E-dReg) technology, which enables energy transfer. It stores abundant solar energy generated during the day and discharges it in the evening when sunlight diminishes rapidly, playing a vital role in stabilizing the power supply during nighttime peak demand. In the event of unexpected power incidents that cause a drop in grid frequency, the system can respond quickly, completing discharge within 0.4 seconds to maintain grid frequency stability. It also provides multiple functions, including stable power supply and voltage regulation.
Power systems have three key indicators: frequency, voltage, and inertia. Among these, inertia varies depending on the method and characteristics of power generation, and its importance has grown due to the current trend of renewable energy development. In traditional systems, inertia is primarily provided by the rotational motion of conventional generators’ steam or hydropower-driven rotors. Conversely, renewable energy systems convert sunlight and wind directly into electricity through inverters. Therefore, last year, Taipower collaborated with UK-based innovative energy technology company RTL on a real-time inertia measurement project for the power system. Measurement devices were installed at 10 locations nationwide. Furthermore, Taipower has introduced Function of Periodic Power Modulation (FPPM) technology at the Dongshan energy storage system, making it the only energy storage system in Taiwan capable of measuring system inertia. By inputting test signals into the grid and obtaining real-time feedback data, this system provides valuable insights for power dispatching and system stability management.
In terms of safety, the Dongshan Energy Storage System has obtained dual certifications: the international energy storage safety standard IEC 62933-5-2 and the international industrial control cybersecurity standard IEC 62443-3-3. Certificates were issued by an international third-party verification agency, ensuring strict compliance across various aspects, including energy storage installation, operation and maintenance, and information and communication security. Moreover, the Dongshan Energy Storage System incorporates a four-stage safety framework aimed at achieving zero risk and zero disaster. These measures include gas detection and ventilation, abnormal temperature alarms, an internal cabinet fire suppression system, and an external fire-fighting water mist system, ensuring comprehensive safety management.
A Taipower representative stated that the government’s 2025 goal of establishing 1,500 MW of energy storage includes 500 MW from private developers integrating energy storage with photovoltaic power, 160 MW of energy storage systems built by Taipower, and an additional 1,000 MW from private resources aggregated through the Energy Trading Platform. In recent years, Taipower has utilized its substations as development bases for energy storage. Projects such as the Luyuan and Longtan energy storage systems have been completed, and with the Dongshan energy storage system now online and integrated into the grid, Taipower has officially achieved a milestone in its self-built energy storage initiatives.
Contact Person: Director of Transmission and Substation Engineering Department Chang Han-Hsi
Phone: (02) 2322-9700; 0965-598-258
E-mail: u906444@taipower.com.tw
(To watch the full press conference with sign language interpretation, click here.)
Public accident and emergency (A&E) departments will charge patients a fee of $400 per visit starting from January 1, 2026, as part of reforms to fees aimed at enhancing the financial sustainability of the city’s public healthcare system.
Currently, public A&E departments charge a flat rate of $180.
Under the fee revamp, patients in critical and emergency cases will be treated for free at public A&E departments.
At a press conference today, Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau said the reform was intended to offer more help to the underprivileged and patients with critical or severe illnesses.
He stressed that the extra revenue will go back into public hospital services.
The authorities will also introduce a “co-payment model” to charge patients between $50 and $500 for complicated pathology and non-urgent imaging tests.
Moreover, they propose to cap charges at $10,000 a year for each patient, and to make it easier for those eligible to apply for a fee waiver.
At today’s press conference, Permanent Secretary for Health Thomas Chan elaborated on the various measures.
“I think the first one, on improving the waiver mechanism, we have relaxed the income and asset limits significantly for (patients) to qualify for medical waivers,” he said. “This is targeting the low-income families.
“We expect that low-income families would mostly be able to be covered by the medical waiver mechanism, since we have already raised the eligibility level to (100% of) median monthly domestic household income for families of two and more.
“And for families of one, actually we would be relaxing the income limit to 150% of the median monthly domestic household income. And also for the asset limit, we have significantly raised it to match the level for applying for public rental housing.
“We expect that the number of low-income families or people that potentially qualify to apply for medical waivers would increase from 300,000 to 1.4 million. This is already in addition to the 600,000 CSSA (Comprehensive Social Security Assistance) recipients and also the Old Age Living Allowance recipients aged 75 or above.
“In addition to the medical waivers, we introduced an annual spending cap.
“If the amount of (medical) fees that you need to pay exceeds $10,000 for the whole year, anything in excess of $10,000 will be waived. This is to provide another protection for all Hong Kong citizens who may or may not be eligible to apply for medical waivers.”
Information, Education & Communication (IEC) funds allocated and utilized at Centre level under SBM (G) from 2014-15 to 2022-23 are as under :-
Rs. In lakh
Year
Allocated
Utilized
2014-15
9732.83
9732.55
2015-16
16050.00
16050.00
2016-17
23485.58
23485.57
2017-18
32016.18
32016.18
2018-19
12000.00
11404.23
2019-20
12873.00
3800.79
2020-21
3000.00
1613.65
2021-22
2055.00
1604.46
2022-23
4516.00
4485.10
Sanitation, being a State subject, component-wise funds are not released to the State/UTs. The States/UTs have the flexibility to allocate and utilize their funds for various components including IEC. However, as per SBM(G) Phase II guidelines, the States/UTs can utilize only upto 3% of the total Expenditure for IEC purposes. Accordingly, as reported by the States, the utilization of funds for IEC from 2014-15 to 2022-23 State-wise and Year-wise are at below.
Under SBM(G) Phase II guidelines, the Gram Panchayats are to actively involve in the planning and implementation of all software and hardware components of SBM(G) Phase II programme. The Gram Panchayats, along with ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, SHG members, NGOs etc. are considered for active involvement in the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities including in Triggering leading to demand generation and sustained use of the facilities, in Capacity building, assistance in construction and ensuring sustained use of sanitation facilities. Village Water and Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) are constituted as a sub-committee of the GPs for preparation of Village Action Plan for mobilization, implementation, and supervision of the programme. However, the composition and function of the VWSC is to be determined by the State Government. Training are provided to the VWSC members, PRI members, and other field functionaries as per the plan prepared by at the State/District level.
Greywater management is done through soak pits, wherever possible, or through other technologies such as Waste Stabilization Ponds, Constructed Wetlands, Decentralised Wastewater Treatment Systems (DEWATS), etc, to ensure that untreated wastewater is not mixed with water bodies. States/UTs have been advised to make arrangement for Solid Waste Management i.e.-Bio-degradable and non-biodegradable system for Household and for all public Places (including the primary schools, Panchayat Ghar and Anganwadi canter). SWM system includes Collection, Transportation, Segregation, Storage, and management of SWM. Faecal Sludge Management (FSM), wherever needed, through co-treatment in existing Sewage Treatment Plant (STP)/Faecal Sludge Treatment Plant (FSTP) facilities in nearby urban/rural areas or trenching or setting up of FSM Plant as required. There is provision of Rs. 16 lakh per block for setting up of Plastic Waste Management Unit(PWMU) at block/district level.
This information was provided by THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI SHRI V. SOMANNA in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.
Measures taken to reduce healthcare costs Out-of-Pocket Expenditure as percentage of Total Health Expenditure has declined from 62.6% in 2014-15 to 39.4% in 2021-22
Government Health Expenditure as percentage of Total Health Expenditure has increased from 29.0% in 2014-15 to 48.0% in 2021-22
National Free Drugs Service initiative and Free diagnostic Service has been rolled out to ensure availability of essential drugs and diagnostic facilities
1.76 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been established and operationalized which deliver expanded range of comprehensive primary healthcare services
AB-PMJAY aims to provide health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to approximately 55 crore beneficiaries corresponding to 12.37 crore families constituting the economically vulnerable bottom 40% of India’s population
Quality generic medicines are made available at affordable prices to all under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana
Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 1:51PM by PIB Delhi
As per National Health Accounts (NHA) Estimates, the Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) as percentage of Total Health Expenditure (THE) has been declining continuously, 62.6% (2014-15) to 39.4% (2021-22). The Government is making efforts to reduce the OOPE as % of THE. There has been significant increase in Government Health Expenditure (GHE) as percentage of THE, which was 29.0% in 2014-15 and 48.0% in 2021-22.
Further, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has rolled out and implemented various national schemes and programs to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services to all, including those in rural areas. These key schemes/programs have contributed to reducing out-of-pocket expenditures in availing of health services, some are given as under:
National Health Mission (NHM): Under the National Health Mission, the Government has taken many steps towards universal health coverage, by supporting the State Governments in providing accessible and affordable healthcare to people. The National Health Mission provides support for improvement in health infrastructure, availability of adequate human resources to man health facilities, to improve availability and accessibility to quality health care especially for the underserved and marginalized groups in rural areas. National Free Drugs Service initiative and Free diagnostic Service has been rolled out to ensure availability of essential drugs and diagnostic facilities and reduce out of pocket expenditure of the patients visiting public health facilities.
Ayushman Arogya Mandir: A total of 1.76 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) have been established and operationalized by transforming existing Sub-Health Centres (SHC) and Primary Health Centres (PHC) in rural and urban areas. The purpose of AAMs are to deliver the expanded range of comprehensive primary healthcare services that includes preventive, promotive, curative, palliative and rehabilitative services encompassing Reproductive and Child care services, Communicable diseases, Non-communicable diseases and all health issues, which are universal, free and closer to the community.
Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) was launched as a mission to develop the capacities of primary, secondary and tertiary health care systems; strengthen existing national institutions and create new institutions to cater to detection and cure of new and emerging diseases. PM-ABHIM is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with some Central Sector components. The total outlay of the scheme is Rs 64,180 crore.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) aims to provide health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to approximately 55 crore beneficiaries corresponding to 12.37 crore families constituting the economically vulnerable bottom 40% of India’s population. States/UTs implementing AB PM-JAY have further expanded the beneficiary base, at their own cost. Recently, the scheme has been expanded to cover 6 crore senior citizens of age 70 years and above belonging to 4.5 crore families irrespective of their socio-economic status under AB PM-JAY with Vay Vandana Card.
Besides, quality generic medicines are made available at affordable prices to all under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in collaboration with the State Governments. Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Pharmacy stores have been set up in some hospitals/institutions.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Smt. Anupriya Patel stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
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HFW/ Measures taken to reduce healthcare costs/25 March 2025/2
Update on Ayushman Arogya Mandir 1,76,573 AAMs have been operationalized across the country till February 2025
107.10 crore screenings for hypertension and 94.56 crore screenings for diabetes have been conducted at AAMs
A total of 5.06 crore wellness sessions including Yoga have been conducted at AAMs
Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 1:50PM by PIB Delhi
As reported by States/UTs on the Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) portal, a total of 1,76,573 AAMs have been operationalised across the country till February, 2025. As per portal, 107.10 crore screenings for hypertension and 94.56 crore screenings for diabetes have been conducted at AAMs.
Wellness-related activities like Yoga, cycling, and meditation are conducted in AAMs. As on 28.02.2025, a total of 5.06 crore wellness sessions including Yoga have been conducted at AAMs.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare,Shri Prataprao Jadhavstated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
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MV
HFW/ Update on Ayushman Arogya Mandir/25 March 2025/3
Steps taken on Mental Health AB PM-JAY provides cashless healthcare services related to 1961 procedures across 27 medical specialties including 22 procedures under Mental Disorder Speciality
District Mental Health Programme component of the National Mental Health Programme has been sanctioned for implementation in 767 districts for which support is provided to States/UTs through the National Health Mission
Under the tertiary care component of NMHP, 25 Centres of Excellence have been sanctioned to increase the intake of students in PG departments in mental health specialities as well as to provide tertiary level treatment facilities
47 Government run mental hospitals are functional in the country, including 3 Central Mental Health Institutions
36 States/ UTs have set up 53 Tele MANAS Cells and have started tele mental health services. More than 19,67,000 calls have been handled on the helpline number
Government has also launched Tele MANAS Mobile Application on the occasion of World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2024 to provide support for mental health issues ranging from well-being to mental disorders
Posted On: 25 MAR 2025 1:48PM by PIB Delhi
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has issued Master Circular on Health Insurance Business dated 29.05.2024, vide which insurers are required to provide wider choice to policyholders by offering products catering to all types of existing medical conditions; pre-existing diseases and chronic conditions. Insurers are also mandated to make available products in compliance with the provisions of Mental Health Care Act, 2017. In line with the above provisions, products are available in the market providing coverage for mental illness as per the respective product designs of the insurers.
Under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri – Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), the latest national master of the Health Benefit Package (HBP) provides cashless healthcare services related to 1961 procedures across 27 medical specialties including 22 procedures under Mental Disorder Speciality such as Intellectual Disability, Schizophrenia, schizotypal, delusional disorders, autism spectrum disorder etc, to eligible beneficiaries. Further, States have been provided flexibility to further customize the Health Benefit Packages to local context.
As per centrally available data at National health Authority (NHA), as on 21.03.2025, 77,634 hospital admission worth Rs 87 Crore have been authorized under the scheme.
For providing affordable and accessible mental healthcare facilities in the country, the Government is implementing the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) in the country. The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) component of the NMHP has been sanctioned for implementation in 767 districts for which support is provided to States/UTs through the National Health Mission. Facilities made available under DMHP at the Community Health Centre (CHC) and Primary Health Centre (PHC) levels, include outpatient services, assessment, counselling/ psycho-social interventions, continuing care and support to persons with severe mental disorders, drugs, outreach services, ambulance services etc. In addition to above services there is a provision of 10 bedded in-patient facility at the district level.
The Government is also taking steps to strengthen mental healthcare services at primary healthcare level. The Government has upgraded more than 1.75 lakh Sub Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Mental, Neurological, and substance use disorders (MNS) have been added in the packages of services under Comprehensive Primary Health Care provided at these Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
Under the tertiary care component of NMHP, 25 Centres of Excellence have been sanctioned to increase the intake of students in PG departments in mental health specialities as well as to provide tertiary level treatment facilities. Further, the Government has also supported 19 Government medical colleges/institutions to strengthen 47 PG Departments in mental health specialties.
There are 47 Government run mental hospitals in the country, including 3 Central Mental Health Institutions, viz. National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam and Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi. Mental Health Services are also provisioned in all AIIMS.
The Government is also augmenting the availability of manpower to deliver mental healthcare services in the underserved areas of the country by providing online training courses to various categories of general healthcare medical and para medical professionals through the Digital Academies, established since 2018, at the three Central Mental Health Institutes namely National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru, Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur, Assam, and Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi. The total number of professionals trained under Digital Academies are 42,488.
Besides the above, the Government has launched a “National Tele Mental Health Programme” on 10th October, 2022, to further improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country. As on 19.03.2025, 36 States/ UTs have set up 53 Tele MANAS Cells and have started tele mental health services. More than 19,67,000 calls have been handled on the helpline number.
The Government has also launched Tele MANAS Mobile Application on the occasion of World Mental Health Day – October 10, 2024. Tele-MANAS Mobile Application is a comprehensive mobile platform that has been developed to provide support for mental health issues ranging from well-being to mental disorders.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare,Shri Prataprao Jadhavstated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.