(a) whether there are substantial differences in the availability and utilisation of the health care services and health indices of the population;
(b) if so, the reasons for poor performance in the health care services; and
(c) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to remedy the situation?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (PROF. RITA VERMA)
(a)to(c): Government is making every effort to create infrastructure facilities for providing better health care services particularly for the poor and disadvantaged. Various national level disease control programmes are also under implementation.
Significant achievements have been made as a result of implementation of health programmes. Guineaworm has been eradicated; prevalence of leprosy brought down from 57/10,000 population in 1981 to 5.28/10,000 in March, 2000; morbidity and mortality on account of malaria contained; cure rate under Revised National Tuberculosis Programme significantly improved; polio virtually eradicated; and coverage of mother and children has been substantially expanded with the implementation of Reproductive and Child Health Programme.
However, the desired levels of success in some cases have not been achieved on account of factors like lack of awareness among the people in availing health services particularly the preventive measures, remoteness of certain areas, illiteracy, poverty etc.
Government has been making every effort to augment the resources for the health sector by mobilising external assistance from bilateral and multi-lateral agencies for implementation of National Health Programmes for Malaria, T.B., Leprosy, Blindness and AIDS.
The Programmes are being constantly reviewed to improve implementation. Attention is also being given to increasing public awareness through information, education and communication activities.