Why in News?

• The Indian government has recently signed loan agreements to borrow up to Rs 13,879 crore to strengthen health infrastructure from international agencies.

Highlights

• The loan agreements have been signed to augment PM-ABHIM (Prime Minister-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission) which was launched in October 2021 (till FY 2025-26).
• Loan agreements have been signed with Asian Development Bank (ADB) for USD 300 million and with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for 50 billion Japanese Yen.
• The World Bank has approved USD 1 billion IBRD (International Bank for Reconstruction and Development) for PM-ABHIM.
• IBRD is the lending arm of the World Bank.
• It is one of the largest pan-India schemes for strengthening healthcare infrastructure across the country.
• It Is in addition to the National Health Mission (NHM).
• It aims to provide support to 17,788 rural Health and Wellness Centres in 10 ‘high focus’ states and establish 11,024 urban Health and Wellness Centres across the country.