Question : HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR RURAL POOR

(a) whether the Government has fixed certain health norms for the citizens of the country;

(b) if so, whether Government has conducted any survey regarding the health care needs of the people especially the poor people living in rural areas of the country;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether absence of dependable transportation facilities acts as a serious hindrance in the utilisation of health care services by the rural poor in the country;

(e) if so, the details thereof and the steps being taken by the Government to enhance rural emergency health transportation services in the country;

(f) whether the Government proposes to provide mobile medical facilities like mobile dispensaries and mobile medication at village level; and

(g) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a): No health norms have been fixed by the Government for the citizens of the country.

(b) & (c) No specific survey has been conducted regarding the health care needs of the people. However, the health of the people are assessed through the surveys under taken by the Government such as National Family Health Survey (NFHS), District Level House Hold Surveys (DLHS), Annual Health Survey (AHS) etc.

(d) & (e): The lack of dependable transportation facilities does act as a hindrance to the utilization of health care services by the people. Under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) financial support is provided to the State Governments for procurement and operationalisation of basic as well as advanced ambulance services such as ‘102’ and ‘108’ to take care of the emergency health care needs of the people. So far 7,218 emergency transport vehicles have been provided to the States under NRHM. Further, under the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) launched under NRHM, all pregnant women and sick newborns accessing public health institutions are provided free transport from home to institution, between facilities in case of a referral as well as drop back from facility to home.

(f) & (g) Government, under NRHM provides support to the States for operating Mobile Medical Units (MMU) based on proposals sent by the State Governments in their Annual Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs). So far, 449 districts have been covered with MMUs across the country. The State-wise details are annexed.