Question : Public Health Scheme

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

(a) whether the Government has a new agenda for Public Health in India comprising of epidemiological transition, demographical transition, environmental changes and social
determinants of health, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has formulated any plan for health system strengthening, human resource development and capacity building and regulation in public health, if so, the details thereof and the outcome thereof;

(c) whether the Government is aware that most of the public health schemes are beyond the reach of general public; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken in this regard to improve the situation?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a): The Government has, keeping in view the public health issues that have arisen from demographic nutrition and epidemiological transitions, assessed the changing health scenario and put structures in place to address those through a coordinated multi sectoral action to positively influence the social determinants of health.

(b) to (d): Public Health is a State subject. Under National Health Mission, support is provided to States/UTs to strengthen their health systems including support for setting up of new health Centers, and for up gradation of the existing health Centers, augmenting human resource, in the field of health, ASHAs, Mobile Medical Unit (MMU), provision of free drugs, etc. on the basis of requirements projected by the States in their Programme Implementation Plans. As far as strengthening of human resources for public health is concerned, a number of new courses such as Master in Public Health (Field Epidemiology), Regional Field Epidemiology Training Programme, Regional Training Programme on prevention & Control of Communicable Diseases and India Epidemic Intelligence Service training are being conducted to overcome the shortage.