NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH MISSION

Recognizing the importance of Health in the process of economic and social development and improving the quality of life of our citizens, the Government of India has launched the National Rural Health Mission to carry out necessary architectural correction in the basic health care delivery system. 

The Mission adopts a synergistic approach by relating health to determinants of good health viz. segments of nutrition, sanitation, hygiene and safe drinking water. It also aims at mainstreaming the Indian systems of medicine to facilitate health care.

National Rural Health Mission was launched on 12th April, 2005 with an objective to provide effective health care to the rural population, the disadvantaged groups including women and children by improving access, enabling community ownership, strengthening public health systems for efficient service delivery, enhancing equity and accountability and promoting decentralization

The scheme proposes a number of new mechanisms for healthcare delivery including training local residents as Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) and the Janani Surakshay Yojana (motherhood protection program). It also aims at improving hygiene and sanitation infrastructure. It is the most ambitious rural health initiative ever.

The mission has a special focus on 18 states Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Orissa, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

Goals of NHRM

a) Reduction in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) 

b) Universal access to public health services such as Women’s health, child health, water, sanitation &hygiene, immunization, and Nutrition

c) Prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, including locally endemic diseases 

d) Access to integrated comprehensive primary healthcare 

e) Population stabilization, gender and demographic balance.

f) Revitalize local health traditions and mainstream AYUSH.

g) Promotion of healthy life styles.

Salient features of NHRM:

• Innovation in Human Resource Management

Promote access to improved healthcare at household level through the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA). ASHA would act as a bridge between the Auxiliary Nurse and the village Midwives and be accountable to the Panchayat. ASHA would facilitate in the implementation of the Village Health Plan along with Anganwadi worker, ANM, functionaries of other Departments, and Self Help Group members, under the leadership of the Village Health Committee of the Panchayat.

• Strengthening Public Health Delivery in India

New concept of Indian Public Health Standards introduced. They are set of standards envisaged to improve the quality of health care delivery in the country under the National Rural Health Mission.

• Strengthening PHCs

Mission aims at Strengthening PHC for quality preventive, promotive, curative, and supervisory and Outreach services through adequate and regular supply of essential quality drugs and equipment (including Supply of Auto Disabled Syringes for immunization) to PHCs. Provision of 24 hour service in 50% PHCs by addressing shortage of doctors, especially in high focus States, through mainstreaming AYUSH manpower.

• Strengthen CHCs

Infrastructure strengthening of CHCs by implementation of IPHS standards which includes Promotion of Stakeholder Committees (Rogi Kalyan Samitis) for hospital management and developing standards of services and costs in hospital care.

• Decentralized Planning

This includes “District Health Mission” at the District level and the “State Health Mission” at the state level. District Health Plan would be a reflection of synergy between Village Health Plans, State and National priorities for Health, Water Supply, Sanitation and Nutrition. It also includes involvement of PRIs in planning process to improve access of facilities.

• Strengthening Disease Control Mechanisms

National Disease Control Programmes for Malaria, TB, Kala Azar, Filaria, Blindness & Iodine Deficiency and Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme has been integrated under the Mission, for improved programme delivery and new Initiatives have been launched for control of Non Communicable Diseases. Further disease surveillance system at village level would be strengthened. Supply of generic drugs (both AYUSH & Allopathic) for common ailments at village, SC, PHC/CHC level will also be included.