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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HFW/ Update on Ayushman Arogya Mandir/25 March 2025/3
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
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.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
​Hongkong Post announced today (March 25) that, as advised by the postal administration of Italy, mail delivery services previously impacted by a local strike have returned to normal. However, due to the impact of flooding, mail delivery services to the provinces of Florence, Lucca, Grosseto, Livorno, Pistoia and Prato in Italy are still subject to delay.
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
Exchange Fund Bills tender results
Tender date*”Pro rata ratio” refers to the average percentage of allotment with respect to each tender participant’s tendered amount at the “highest yield accepted” level.
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Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning March 31, 2025:
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department announced today (March 25) that in view of a notification from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) about an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in the Township of Enniskillen of Ontario Province in Canada, the CFS has instructed the trade to suspend the import of poultry meat and products (including poultry eggs) from the area with immediate effect to protect public health in Hong Kong.
A CFS spokesman said that according to the Census and Statistics Department, Hong Kong imported about 400 tonnes of frozen poultry meat from Canada last year.
​”The CFS has contacted the Canadian authority over the issue and will closely monitor information issued by the WOAH and the relevant authorities on the avian influenza outbreak. Appropriate action will be taken in response to the development of the situation,” the spokesman said.
MOFA response to Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba expressing great concern over China’s joint military drills around Taiwan
October 14, 2024
Commenting on China’s joint military drills around Taiwan during an interview with the press on October 14, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba pointed out that peace and security in and around the Taiwan Strait were an extremely important issue to the region. He stated that Japan would carefully monitor the situation and prepare to respond to any development.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) affirms and appreciates Prime Minister Ishiba’s public expression of great concern and support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait immediately after China launched military drills around Taiwan.
Also on October 14, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeshi Iwaya and Minister of Defense Gen Nakatani stressed the importance of cross-strait peace to regional security and stability and stated that they would closely monitor the situation and remain vigilant concerning related developments.
Maintaining cross-strait peace and stability is a matter of international consensus. China’s repeated use of pretexts to suppress and intimidate Taiwan has undermined peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and in the Indo-Pacific. MOFA again urges China to exercise reason and restraint and to stop threatening Taiwan and unilaterally escalating regional tensions. For its part, Taiwan will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities and work with the United States, Japan, and other like-minded partners to safeguard the rules-based international order.
MOFA strongly condemns China for disregarding Taiwan’s goodwill and taking provocative actions that raise tensions in Taiwan Strait and region
October 14, 2024
No. 353
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has noted that China on October 14 launched its so-called Joint Sword-2024B military drill around Taiwan, once again challenging the rules-based international order and gravely undermining regional peace and stability. MOFA strongly condemns China and urges it to pull back and immediately cease its military provocations.
In his National Day address, President Lai Ching-te once again expressed goodwill to China and called for it to act responsibly and work with Taiwan to maintain the prevailing state of peace, stability, and prosperity. However, China remains determined to intimidate the people of Taiwan through military exercises and is attempting to threaten Taiwan’s democracy and unilaterally disrupt the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and throughout the region. MOFA solemnly denounces China and urges it to neither use false pretexts aimed at justifying disagreement and strife nor become a troublemaker that undermines regional peace and stability.
At the same time, MOFA calls on nations around the world to recognize China’s authoritarian and expansionist nature, take concrete actions to support democratic Taiwan at this critical moment, unite in defending the values of freedom and democracy, and safeguard the rules-based international order, as well as the freedom, openness, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region. (E)
Foreign Minister Lin leads delegation to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines as presidential envoy to attend 45th independence anniversary celebrations
Date：2024-10-28
Data Source：Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs
October 28, 2024
No. 375
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung, serving as President Lai Ching-te’s special envoy, led a delegation to Caribbean ally Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on October 26. He participated in a ceremony and other celebrations marking the 45th anniversary of the independence of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. In addition, he met with Governor-General Susan Dougan, held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, attended a welcome reception hosted by the government, and took part in other official events.
Minister Lin joined Prime Minister Gonsalves in presiding over the groundbreaking ceremony for the Arnos Vale Acute Care Hospital. He also attended the official opening of a farmers training room and a cold storage facility built at Orange Hill Farm with Taiwan’s support; a plaque unveiling for a new livestock facility at the Rabacca National Breeding Station; and an October fair celebrating the national days of both countries. Minister Lin reaffirmed President Lai’s staunch commitment to deepening relations with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and, together with local residents, witnessed the results of Taiwan’s international development programs.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Arnos Vale Acute Care Hospital, Minister Lin said that the important project highlighted the close partnership between the two countries. He expressed confidence that it would not only contribute to medical care modernization but also create job opportunities in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. He stated that in addition to building the hospital, Taiwan had also promoted other infrastructure projects, including the modernization of Kingstown Port, road renovation, and the construction of the House of Assembly and courthouse buildings.
During the event at Orange Hill Farm, Minister Lin noted that bilateral cooperation in agricultural technology had yielded significant results. He commended the establishment of Orange Hill Biotechnology Center, which had long served as a key pillar for agricultural advancement and modernization of the sector in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. He also spoke about the launch of a new agricultural cooperation program in 2025 focusing on the introduction of smart agricultural technologies to improve productivity and bolster young people’s engagement in agriculture.
The Republic of China (Taiwan) and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines established diplomatic relations in 1981. Over the past 43 years, bilateral cooperation projects have produced remarkable achievements. The two countries enjoy a cordial and solid partnership; share the core values of democracy, freedom, and human rights; and engage in close collaboration in such domains as agriculture, food security, infrastructure, medical care, public health, ICT, and women’s empowerment. Both nations will continue to build on the existing robust foundation to strengthen cooperation and deepen their partnership based on shared prosperity and mutual benefit. (E)
Foreign Minister Lin visits jointly constructed neonatal building of San Juan de Dios Hospital and joins Guatemalan Foreign Minister Martínez in celebrating 90th anniversary of bilateral ties
Date：2024-10-27
Data Source：Department of Latin American and Caribbean Affairs
October 27, 2024
No. 371
On October 25, during his visit to Guatemala, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung met with President Bernardo Arévalo, Foreign Minister Carlos Martínez, and other senior officials. He also toured the neonatal building of San Juan de Dios Hospital, which finished construction this year with assistance from Taiwan. While at the new building, Minister Lin interacted with families that benefited from the joint endeavor, giving him the opportunity to better understand the fruits of Taiwan-Guatemala collaboration.
Hospital Director Erika Pérez and Pediatrics Department Chief Juan Carlos Reyes introduced the facilities and functions of the building to Minister Lin when he toured the neonatal building in the morning. Accompanied by Guatemalan Minister of Public Health and Social Assistance Joaquín Barnoya, Minister Lin attended a traditional Taiwanese ceremony to bless infants and gave gifts to the attending families.
In his remarks at San Juan de Dios Hospital, Minister Lin stated that, in addition to the joint construction of the hospital’s neonatal building, Taiwan’s technical mission and Guatemala are working on a program to promote maternal and neonatal health care. The initiative will assist in training medical professionals at hospitals and birth centers in Guatemala City to enhance their ability to give women clinical care before, during, and after childbirth and reduce premature birth and infant mortality risks, benefiting 70,000 people each year. It will also arrange for related personnel from Guatemala to travel to Taiwan for training. Over 450 health care professionals are expected to receive training, thereby raising the quality of services available to women and children in Guatemala. It took just 12 months for Taiwan and Guatemala to complete the planning and construction of the neonatal building of San Juan de Dios Hospital, which has helped improve maternal and neonatal care. The important project has been met with wide approval from the government and civil society of Guatemala.
In the afternoon, Minister Lin called at Guatemala’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to meet with Minister Martínez, who invited him to view bamboo planted by Taiwan’s technical mission in the square outside the building. The plants commemorate 90 years of friendship and diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Guatemala. (E)