Health and Wellness Centres as a strategic choice to manage noncommunicable diseases and universal health coverage

Abstract

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death globally. On its road to ensuring universal health coverage (UHC) for its population, India initiated the Ayushman Bharat mission in 2018. Under this flagship initiative, the primary health care component is being implemented by establishing Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) across the country. HWCs are being established by converting and upgrading the primary health centers and subhealth centers. The unmet need for NCDs at the primary care level is high. Under the HWCs, NCD services are being expanded at the community and facility levels. States have brought local innovations in the NCD management. NCD ticker bags, an innovation to ensure treatment adherence, follow-up, and reduce drop-outs, are being done under the HWCs. Gaps in NCD management include a lack of awareness about NCDs' risk factors and management in rural areas and an erratic supply of NCD drugs and diagnostics. Challenges in the NCD management in the primary care settings include capacity building of the health manpower in NCD management, the flow of information for ensuring a continuum of care, and low community participation in the screening and management of NCDs. The challenges that remain in operationalizing the envisaged package in the HWCs must be acknowledged and worked upon. This will enable us to continue on the path toward UHC, stick to the action plan on NCDs, and assist us in achieving the NCD-related targets.