Better Health Indicators Testimony to NRHM’s Achievements: IAP
The
International Advisory Panel (IAP) on National Rural Health Mission today
attributed India’s better Health Indicators to work accomplished under various
components of NRHM. The panel headed by Prof. Jeffery D. Sachs, Earth
Institute, Columbia and comprising of other experts held meeting with the Union
Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad and senior officials
of the Ministry at New Delhi today.
Chairing
the meeting the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad
noted that NRHM has made substantial progress in its journey of providing
accessible, equitable and affordable health care ever since its launch in 2005.
India’s steady three point decline in the IMR both in 2009 & 2010 and the
fact that decline in rural IMR is greater than the decline in Urban IMR is
noteworthy, the Minister said. He added that stepped up interventions in child
care through implementation of the Home Based New Born Care through ASHAs; incentives for ASHAs for delivering such care
in the rural areas; launch of Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK), in
June, 2011 with initiatives stipulating free drugs, free diet, free
diagnostics, and, if required, free blood, besides free transport from home to
institution, between facilities in case of a referral and drop back home for
every pregnant woman and similar entitlements having been put up in place for
all sick neonates accessing public health institutions for treatment have gone
a long way in improving the IMR figures. He stated that the Pulse Polio
programme has had an unprecedented success with India having been Polio free
for past one year. Strengthening the immunization programme, introduction of
second dose of measles; extending Pentavalent vaccine to more States is on the
anvil, the Minister informed.
Shri
Azad informed that with Prime Minister having announced focus on Health in 12th
plan, the Health Ministry has proposed several new initiatives like supply of
free generic drugs to all patients attending public health facilities
throughout the country in attempt to achieve universal health care.
Up-gradation and strengthening of District Hospitals to provide not only
maternal & child health services but also health care for communicable and
non communicable diseases is also high on the agenda, Shri Azad said. “In view
of the significant human resources crunch in our country, priority is accorded
to strengthening of tertiary care centers and expansion of both undergraduate
and postgraduate education to increase the availability of doctors and
specialists to man the several National Programmes that have been launched for
prevention, control, detection and treatment of diseases across the country”
the Minister informed. “The next phase of the NRHM is set to capitalize on this
momentum and, with the proposed National Urban Health Mission, we hope to
accelerate our journey towards the National Health Goals”, the Minister added.
Prof
Jeffery Sachs along with his team of experts, commended India for the
incredible progress but emphasized the need for quarterly data/ real time data
for better programme management as also the need for model distt approach. He
said they are piloting five model districts - one each in Assam, Uttar Pradesh,
Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan, where programs would be implemented in a
focused and integrated manner. Prof Sachs underscored the need for higher
investments in health sector and said that while addressing the need for
tertiary care, investments in the primary care delivery systems should not
become a casualty. He reiterated that primary care systems should be
strengthened so that IMR, MMR and other health indicators can further be
improved. He also said that adequate attention needs to be given to tackle the
under nutrition challenge. Prof Sachs said lessons learnt in India are valuable
for translating the experience world over. Other experts while appreciating the
initiative emphasized on capacity building, health promotion and preventive health
care and need for introduction of new vaccines besides strengthening the
community process.
Summing
up the discussions, Secretary H&FW Shri P K Pradhan said the Ministry is
making use of the Health Management Information System to gather real time data.
He informed that under the Mother and Child Tracking System, data for nearly 16
million mothers and 11 million children has already been gathered. Secretary
also informed that with 2012 year declared as ‘intensification for
immunization’ efforts for strengthening immunization system and improving
vaccine coverage are priority.
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