In a remarkable turnaround, Uttar Pradesh under Yogi Adityanath has shed its ‘ailing state’ image through sweeping primary healthcare reforms. Over nine years, the government has expanded and modernized PHCs and CHCs, bridging gaps in rural and far-flung regions with state-of-the-art facilities.
From 2017 onwards, new sub-centers and upgraded PHCs now boast 24/7 maternity care, diagnostic labs, imaging, and essential medications – a far cry from their rudimentary past. Maternal and infant health has surged, with institutional births becoming the norm in villages, aligning with the ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’ vision to reach the underserved.
Staff shortages are history, with accelerated hiring of doctors and paramedics ensuring round-the-clock expertise. Digital tools monitor infectious diseases like dengue and malaria at the grassroots, backed by multiplied testing labs for early intervention. Districts report sharp drops in death rates, amplified by Ayushman Bharat’s free ₹5 lakh coverage reaching millions via PHCs.
Health cards are issued transparently online, while new medical colleges and upgraded hospitals streamline patient referrals. Emergency ambulances 102/108 and e-Sanjeevani telemedicine bring specialists to doorsteps, saving time and lives. During COVID-19, this network shone: widespread village screenings, rapid vaccinations – UP topped national charts – and lasting assets like oxygen setups and ICUs.
Key metrics tell the success story: falling MMR and IMR, higher deliveries in facilities, better immunization, and curbed epidemics. Budget boosts cement primary care’s primacy, positioning UP as a beacon of health progress. As former Health DG Dr. Lili Singh notes, these ground-level changes – from 24/7 services to digital surveillance – are visibly reshaping rural healthcare, connecting even remote patients to quality care.