Question : Free Treatment for Serious Diseases

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has formulated any plans to provide health care facilities and free treatment for serious ailments in rural and backward areas, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including Jharkhand and Karnataka;

(b) whether Government has implemented the national Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetics, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) in all States and UTs, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;

(c) the details of rural areas without the facilities of healthcare services, State/UTwise including Jharkhand;

(d) whether the Government proposes to extend healthcare facilities to cover more villages in coming year and if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon; and

(e) whether the Government has any National Health Policy/proposal in the pipeline to ensure quality and free healthcare services across the country, if so, the details thereof including medical schemes/programmes for SCs along with the funds allocated/proposed to be allocated by the Government thereon?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)

(a) to (e): Public Health being a State Subject, the primary responsibility to provide health care services to the citizens lies with State/ UT Governments. However, Under National Health Mission (NHM), support is extended to States/UTs to strengthen their healthcare system for provision of accessible, affordable and quality health care to all the citizens based on proposals submitted by the States / UTs in their Programme Implementation Plans.

Under NHM, support is being provided to states to provide essential drugs and diagnostics free of cost to those who visit public health facilities. States are also provided incentives over and above their resource envelope, if they provide essential drugs & diagnostics free in public facilities.


Under PMSSY, 6 new AIIMS have been set up and the Central Government has further approved/planned for setting up of 12 more AIIMS and to provide financial assistance for upgradation to 71 medical colleges.

These institutions like other State Government / Central Government run Hospitals would be providing free or subsidised care for the serious ailments of poor and needy.

Government of India launched National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) which is implemented for interventions up to District level under the National Health Mission. NPCDCS has a focus on awareness generation for behaviour and life-style changes, screening and early diagnosis of persons with high level of risk factors and their treatment and referral (if required) to higher facilities for appropriate management for Non-communicable Diseases including Diabetes. Under NPCDCS, diagnosis and treatment facilities for these diseases are provided through different levels of healthcare by setting up of NCD Clinics at District Hospitals and Community Health Centres (CHCs). The programme includes intervention at the level of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Sub-Centres also.

NPCDCS is being implemented in all 36 States/UTs. A statement showing number of districts (State/UT-wise) approved for implementation of the programme is at Annexure – A.

Under Tertiary Care Cancer Centre (TCCC) Scheme, Government of India is assisting States to set up / establish State Cancer Institute (SCI) and TCCC in different parts of the country. In Jharkhand 1 SCI and 1 TCCC and in Karnataka 1 SCI and 2 TCCCs have been identified for providing financial assistance under this scheme

Details of Health infrastructure in rural areas as per Rural Health Statistics 2015 is at Annexure – B.

The Central government is supporting the States under NHM to strengthen their health care system including for setting up facilities in unserved or underserved areas.

All Health Institutions upto District Hospital level are supported under NHM. Besides this, the Government of India is also providing support to the states for tertiary level care for cancer, blindness control, Mental Health, Geriatric care. Public health facilities provide care to all citizens including SCs.

Funds released to States include SC component. The details of funds released to the States/ UTs for the last three years is at Annexure- C.