Public health and Hospitals are a state subject. The primary responsibility of strengthening public healthcare system lies with the respective States/Union Territories. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to the States/ Union Territories to strengthen the public healthcare system in rural and underserved areas as per Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS), 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. States/ Union Territories are expected to ensure Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) are functional with adequate staff, equipment, medicines and diagnostic facilities as per Indian Public Health Standards.

The details regarding doctors, specialists and paramedical staff in rural health facilities across States/Union Territories can be accessed at the following link of HDI 2023-24:

https://www.mohfwdohfw.gov.in/static/uploads/2026/05/57202cf30629539e4d0fb0a2f700ac62.pdf

The Ministry has developed an open-source toolkit and a web-based dashboard (www.iphs.mohfw.gov.in) launched under IPHS on 28^th June 2024 to facilitate self- assessment by all levels of facilities including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. The IPHS Dashboard is designed to monitor public health facilities' compliance with the IPHS 2022 standards and offers real-time updates, enabling oversight and data-driven decision-making to identify gaps and facilitate timely interventions.

As on 26th June, 2026, 100% of public healthcare facilities have been assessed through IPHS ODK toolkit. Out of total assessed facilities 64% of Health facilities have scored above 50% score.

Further, for strengthening 24x7 emergency services, obstetric care and diagnostic facilities in underserved rural areas, the Ministry’s support includes engagement of human resources, provision of essential drugs, diagnostics and medical equipment, infrastructure strengthening, establishment of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs), ensuring 24×7 services and First Referral Units (FRUs), implementation of the Free Diagnostics Service Initiative, Free Drugs Service Initiative, Biomedical Equipment Maintenance & Management Programme, National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) and other quality improvement initiatives.

This Ministry also supports ‘Free Diagnostics Service Initiative’ programme under NHM with the aim to provide accessible and affordable pathological and radiological diagnostics services closer to the community, which in turn reduces the Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE). Diagnostics services are provided free of cost at all levels of public health facilities (14 tests at Sub Centers, 63 at Primary Health Centers, 97 at Community Health Centres, 111 test at Sub District Hospitals and 134 tests at District Hospitals).

For strengthening of Obstetric Care, comprehensive maternal healthcare services are supported under the National Health Mission (NHM), including antenatal care, institutional deliveries, skilled birth attendance, basic and comprehensive emergency obstetric care (including Caesarean section where indicated), postnatal care, referral transport, management of obstetric complications, and free maternal healthcare services under the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) and Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), with the objective of ensuring safe motherhood and reducing maternal and neonatal mortality. 

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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SR

HFW/PQ- Measures taken to strengthen 24×7 emergency services /4 August 2026/3

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