Question : Free Life Saving Drugs

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

(a) whether the Government has initiated any plan for providing free supply of essential and life saving drugs to the patients availing treatments in public healthcare centres;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the funds allocated for the purpose during the last three years, year and State/UT-wise; and

(c) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government for proper monitoring of the funds and free availability of quality drugs in public healthcare centres/hospitals for the purpose?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)
(a) & (b): Public Health being a state subject, the primary responsibility to provide essential lifesaving drugs to patients in public health facilities lies with the state/UT governments. Under the National Health Mission (NHM), support is already being provided to the States/UTs for strengthening their healthcare delivery system including for provision of essential drugs free of cost in public health facilities based on the requirement posed by the States/UTs in their Programme Implementation Plans.

The state/UT-wise approvals including kind grants provided for drugs & supplies under NHM for financial years 2013-14 to 2015-16 is placed as Annexure.

(c): The implementation and progress of the National Health Mission (NHM) is reviewed at the national level through Annual Common Review Missions, external surveys such as Sample Registration Survey (SRS), the District Level Household Survey (DLHS) and NFHS besides regular monitoring visits from National Program Management Units to States & districts and from States to districts & blocks. The Rogi Kalyan Samiti (RKS)/Hospital Management Committee set up at all the Public Health Facilities from Primary Health Centre (PHC) level and upwards are envisaged to ensure proper functioning and management of the public health facility.





With regard to steps taken/being taken by Government for proper monitoring of the funds, besides provision of annual audit by Comptroller and Auditor General, some of the key monitoring mechanisms put in place by the Central Government for adherence to finance procedures and proper financial utilization include:
• Submission of quarterly Financial Monitoring Reports by the States;

• Annual Statutory Audits;

• Concurrent Audits;

• Implementation of Public Management System (PFMS) in NHM which been developed by the office of the CGA of the Ministry of Finance for monitoring and management of funds on just in time basis.

• Visits by the team of Financial Management Group of the Department to States for periodical review.