Context: 

Recently, the Union government has signed loan agreements to borrow up to ₹13,879 crore to strengthen health infrastructure from international agencies. The loan agreements have been signed to augment PM-­ABHIM.

More on news:

• The loan agreements have been signed with Asian Development Bank (ADB) for $300 million (₹2,474 crore) and with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for 50 billion Japanese Yen (₹3,162 crore). 
• In addition, the World Bank has approved $1 billion (₹8,243 crore) IBRD loans.

About PM – Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM):

• Objective: To fill gaps in health infrastructure, especially in critical and primary care facilities.
• Focus Areas: 
  • Development of capacities of health systems and institutions across the continuum of care at all levels viz. primary, secondary and tertiary.
  •  Preparing Health systems in responding effectively to the current and future pandemics/disasters.
• It targets to build an IT enabled disease surveillance system by developing a network of surveillance laboratories at block, district, regional and national levels.
• Major inititiatives: 
  • Support for construction of 17,788 rural Health and Wellness Centres.
  • Establishment of 11,024 Urban Health and Wellness Centres.
  • Setting up 3,382 Block Public Health Units.
  • Setting up of Integrated Public Health Labs in all districts.

                                                                                   News Source: The Hindu