• National Rural Health Mission

The National Rural Health Mission was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 12^th April 2005 with the objectives of providing  effective health care to the entire rural population in the country with special  focus  on  18  states  which  have  weak public  health indicators. The Mission is an articulation of the commitment of the Government to raise public spending on Health from 0.9% of GDP to 2-3% of GDP, over the next 5 years. It aims to undertake architectural correction of the health system to enable it to effectively handle increased allocations as promised under the National Common Minimum Programme. 

Key Components of NRHM

• Accredited Social Health Activist(ASHA)
• Involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions(PRI)
• Village Health Plans
• Strengthening Public Health Infrastructure
• Strengthening Disease Control Programmes and Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme
• Inter-sectoral convergence
• Fostering Public Private partnership, including regulation
• Integration of new health financing mechanisms
• Reorienting medical education
• Involving the non-profit sectors
• Mainstreaming AYUSH and revitalizing indigenous/ traditional practices that foster good health
• Special strategy for the North East State

Goals of National Rural Health Mission 

• Reduction in Infant Mortality Rate and Maternal Mortality Ratio
• Universal immunization against major childhood illnesses
• Prevention   and   control   of   communicable   and   non-communicable diseases, including locally endemic diseases Integrated comprehensive primary healthcare leading to population stabilization in high fertility districts Provision   of village  level   health   activists   (ASHA)   in underserved villages
• Preparation of Panchayat level Health Action Plan Strengthening Sub-centres/PHCs Raising CHCs to the level of IPHS

Institutionalizing District level Management of Health (all districts) Increase utilization of First Referral Units from less than 20% (2002) to more than 75% by 2010 A.D. A proposal for providing funds under National Rural Health Mission for the following programmes have been sent to Govt. of India

Programme Implementation of NHRM 

NRHM is to be implemented in 5 parts as follows:             

Part-A                                     :           Activities under RCH-II
Part-B                                     :           Initiatives under the NRHM

                                                 ·ASHA ·Untied funds at sub-centre level
                                                 ·Upgrading CHCs to Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS)
                                                 ·Corpus Grant for Hospital Management Societies (Rogi Kalyan Samitis)
                                                 ·Mobile Medical Units

Part-C                                     :           Immunization
Part-D                                     :           National Disease Control Programmes (NDCP)
Part-E                                     :           Inter-sectoral Convergence Scheme under the NRH


·    Untied Fund at Sub-Centre Level 

            An untied funds of Rs.10,000/- is envisaged at sub-centre level to address the unmet need reflected in the Village Health Plan. Rs.285.80 lakh have already been allotted to 2858 Sub-Centres (i.e. @ Rs.10,000/- ) of the State for this purpose.

 ·       Upgrading CHCs to Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) 

In the State there are 117 CHCs. 103 CHCs have been upgraded under the World Bank project to some extent. As per the new guidelines of the GOI in order to provide round the clock referral care services as well as specialist healthcare specifically for obstetric care to the rural population, the State Govt. will further upgrade two CHCs in every district in the first year up to the level of Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS). The services of Anaesthesiologist, Public Health Programme Manager and Eye Surgeon will be augmented along with Paramedic Staff. While working out different requirements in view of the available infrastructure provision of two rooms for bringing AYUSH Practitioners under the same roof will be kept in mind. 34 CHCs have been identified for this and the list has been sent to Govt. of India for release of funds. 

·          Corpus Grant for Hospital Management Society (Rogi Kalyan Samiti) 

The Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS), or Patient Welfare Committee (PWC) is a concept of managing public institutions/hospitals through community participation, which has been internationally recognized as a very successful model. In the State, there are 18 District Hospitals including 2 Special Hospitals, 37 Sub Divisional Hospitals and 117 Community Health Centres. The RKS were constituted for the hospitals under the Word Bank project for the District Hospitals, Sub-Divisional Hospital and Community Health Centres. These RKS will be activated. The broad objectives of RKS are; (i) Improve the institutions/hospitals, upgrade the equipment and modernize the health services; (ii) Ensure discipline in the institutions and supervise the staff; (\\\) Undertake construction and expansion in the hospital buildings; (iv) Ensure optimal use of hospital land according to government guidelines; (v) Improve participation of the committees in the running of the institutions/hospitals; (vi) Ensure scientific disposal of hospital waste; (vii) Ensure proper training for doctors and staff; (viii) Ensure subsidized food, medicines and drinking water to the patients and their attendants; (ix) Ensure proper implementation of National Health Programmes; and (x) Ensure proper use, timely maintenance and repair of institution/hospital equipment and machinery. The total requirements under this proposal has been worked out to 2.44 crore. The amount will be availed during the current FY 05/06. 

·          Mobile Medical Units 

Access to healthcare and equitable distribution of heath services are the fundamental requirements for achieving Millennium Development Goals. Many areas in State lack basic healthcare infrastructure limiting access to health services. The State is in the process of drawing up of a comprehensive scheme for launching of Mobile Medical Units. GOI is in the process of issuing necessary guidelines under which it is envisaged that two small vehicles will be provided for the purpose with NRHM Logo. One will for the transportation of personnel with seating capacity of 10. The other vehicle may be for accessories and need not have any seating arrangement at the back. Instead, the space may be utilized for placing a small bed and all the accessories. This bed can be used as the examination table during camps and for transfer of patients at times of emergency. The State will finalize the model of the vehicle and will initiate the procurement. Operational aspects, Administrative aspects, Monitoring & Evaluation aspects will be defined along with Coordination aspects. A proposal for Rs.783.70 lakh has been submitted to the Govt. of India under this activity.

 National Disease Control Programmes

·           Under National Cancer Control Programme a proposal for establishment of Cobalt Therapy Unit and Oncology Wing at Civil Hospital, Hoshiarpur and Bathinda along with implementation of District Cancer Control Programme in all the districts of the state has been sent to Government of India for providing funds to the tune of Rs.829.20 lac.

Under National Mental Health Programme a proposal for IEC campaign, training programme for Medical Officers, establishment of State Mental Health Cell, Psychotropic Drugs, Strengthening of Psychiatry Department of Medical College, District Mental Health Programme and Up gradation of state run Mental Hospitals, Amritsar has been sent to Govt. of India for providing funds for Rs.594.40 lac for under taking the above activities