Health Ministry to promote free drug policy, health for all
Updated: May 30, 2014 04:20:17pm
New Delhi, May 30 (KNN) Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Harsh Vardhan has asked for thorough streamlining of systems in the distribution of free generic drugs to government health institutions at all levels throughout the country.
The Free Drug Programme’s formal launch would be preceded by working out all logistical details with respect to procurement and distribution in consultation with the state governments.
Reviewing NHM with the Ministry’s officials yesterday, “The National Health Mission (NHM)’s two sub-missions -- the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) – will be vehicles for implementation of the programme. It was formally cleared by the Union Cabinet in May 2013. But till date its implementation has been limited to a few, big-city hospitals as the infrastructure for procurement and distribution was not put in place, the Minister stated.
The Minister has therefore decided to call a meeting of state health ministers under the framework of the Central Council of Health (CCH) which includes professional experts in the near future.
The Planning Commission had estimated that the free generic drug programme would cost Rs 28,560 crore during the 12th Plan period (2012-17) and had made its first financial allocation during 2012-13. While the Centre would bear 75 per cent of the cost, the states are supposed to contribute 25 per cent. Under the programme, 348 drugs under the National List of Essential Medicines are to be provided free from 1.6 lakh sub-centres, 23,000 primary health centres, 5,000 community health centres and 640 district hospitals by the end of the programme. The states have also been requested to add to the Essential List according to their local needs, the notification said.
Vardhan also said that standard treatment protocols would be developed in consultation with experts and coded to ensure that unnecessary and irrational administration of drugs is avoided.
“The NHM will be heavily e-governed to ensure minimum slippage and zero corruption. The despair faced by poor and middle class families when a member falls ill would become a thing of the past,” he said.
The Health Minister has also decided to make NHM more participatory and inclusive by recruiting the synergy of voluntary sector professionals and experts in different specializations.
Further, a new Standing Appraisal Group of Experts would be formed soon. It would meet frequently to take stock of reports from voluntary sector experts as well as the officials’ reactions to the same. NGO heads with proven track record will be invited to be part of the reform process. Women specialists would receive special status in the Ministry’s new scheme of things.
“As women are the worst victims of a dysfunctional public health system, I want their concerns to be addressed on a priority basis. The gender-blind nature of government delivery systems is proving counter-productive”, he pointed out.
Young women recruited as Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) are important stakeholders in NHM. But they are yet to get fixed wages and there are many impediments to their smooth functioning, the Minister stated. To mitigate this, the Minister has decided to have an open meeting with ASHA within the next few weeks to address their problems.
The Minister is also planning various other initiatives to control diabetes epidemic and combat on a war footing Malaria, Filaria, Encephalitis, Chikungunya, Dengue, TB, Kala Azar, measles, leprosy, etc. (KNN/ES)
The Free Drug Programme’s formal launch would be preceded by working out all logistical details with respect to procurement and distribution in consultation with the state governments.
Reviewing NHM with the Ministry’s officials yesterday, “The National Health Mission (NHM)’s two sub-missions -- the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) – will be vehicles for implementation of the programme. It was formally cleared by the Union Cabinet in May 2013. But till date its implementation has been limited to a few, big-city hospitals as the infrastructure for procurement and distribution was not put in place, the Minister stated.
The Minister has therefore decided to call a meeting of state health ministers under the framework of the Central Council of Health (CCH) which includes professional experts in the near future.
The Planning Commission had estimated that the free generic drug programme would cost Rs 28,560 crore during the 12th Plan period (2012-17) and had made its first financial allocation during 2012-13. While the Centre would bear 75 per cent of the cost, the states are supposed to contribute 25 per cent. Under the programme, 348 drugs under the National List of Essential Medicines are to be provided free from 1.6 lakh sub-centres, 23,000 primary health centres, 5,000 community health centres and 640 district hospitals by the end of the programme. The states have also been requested to add to the Essential List according to their local needs, the notification said.
Vardhan also said that standard treatment protocols would be developed in consultation with experts and coded to ensure that unnecessary and irrational administration of drugs is avoided.
“The NHM will be heavily e-governed to ensure minimum slippage and zero corruption. The despair faced by poor and middle class families when a member falls ill would become a thing of the past,” he said.
The Health Minister has also decided to make NHM more participatory and inclusive by recruiting the synergy of voluntary sector professionals and experts in different specializations.
Further, a new Standing Appraisal Group of Experts would be formed soon. It would meet frequently to take stock of reports from voluntary sector experts as well as the officials’ reactions to the same. NGO heads with proven track record will be invited to be part of the reform process. Women specialists would receive special status in the Ministry’s new scheme of things.
“As women are the worst victims of a dysfunctional public health system, I want their concerns to be addressed on a priority basis. The gender-blind nature of government delivery systems is proving counter-productive”, he pointed out.
Young women recruited as Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) are important stakeholders in NHM. But they are yet to get fixed wages and there are many impediments to their smooth functioning, the Minister stated. To mitigate this, the Minister has decided to have an open meeting with ASHA within the next few weeks to address their problems.
The Minister is also planning various other initiatives to control diabetes epidemic and combat on a war footing Malaria, Filaria, Encephalitis, Chikungunya, Dengue, TB, Kala Azar, measles, leprosy, etc. (KNN/ES)
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