Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the need of proper governance, regulations, quality assurance and information technology infrastructure in the health sector in the country;
(b) if so, the details in this regard;
(c) whether the Government proposes to set up public health development authority; and
(d) if so, the details with regard to present status thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) & (b): Yes. Government of India supplements the efforts of the States in improving interalia their health governance structure, regulation, quality assurance of service delivery, etc. The Government of India has accordingly taken various steps for improving the governance and regulatory structure of the health sector, which inter alia includes, promulgation of the Clinical Establishments (Registration & Regulation) Act, 2010, establishment of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, strengthening the drugs regulatory mechanism, launching of the Pharmacovigilance Programme of India to safeguard the health of the people, development and operationalization of a web based Health Management Information System (HMIS) for online data capturing at the district and sub-district levels, and the Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS) for name-based tracking of pregnant women and new borns so that adequate ante natal, post natal care and complete immunization to new borns are ensured. Further, Government is encouraging introduction of telemedicine by States/Union Territories to improve access to secondary and tertiary health care.
The Draft National Health Policy, 2015 also lays emphasis on the role of the Government in regulation, governance, quality assurance, and in leveraging information technology.
(c): There is no proposal presently under consideration of the Government.
(d): Does not arise.