(a) whether family welfare and vaccination programmes are being implemented in the country in a streamlined manner;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) the details of the States where implementation of the said programmes is not streamlined; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI A. RAJA)
(a)&(b): Yes. Family Welfare and Vaccination Programmes are being implemented in the country in a streamlined manner. The Family Welfare Programme continues to be a centrally sponsored programme since its adoption in 1952 and vaccination programme is one of the major components of the Family Welfare Programme. The Universal Immunization Programme was launched in 1985-86 and has since been expanded in a phased manner to all districts by 1989-90. Government has initiated activities to improve the coverage by extending support particularly, to the weakly performing states through the Immunization Strengthening Project, the Reproductive and Child Health Outreach Services, scheme and also training of State and District level officials for improving coverage and quality of Immunization Programme. The Pulse Polio Programme has made impressive progress towards eradication of poliomyelitis in the country. The Government has recently taken a decision to commence a pilot project on introduction of Hepatitis B vaccination in certain metropolitan cities and districts of the country.
(c): Does not arise.
(d): For the country as a whole the achievements under the `National Family Welfare Programmes` have been substantial. Some States/UTs like Goa, Nagaland, Delhi, Kerala, Pondicherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh and Mizoram have already achieved goals set for the year 2010 and States/UTs like Manipur, Daman & Diu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Punjab, Arunachal Pradesh and Lakshadweep are close to achieving these goals. However, other States are lagging behind primarily on account of slow improvement of socio-economic indicators.
(e): To enhance and accelerate performance in States with currently below average socio-demographic indices, an Empowered Action Group (EAG) has been constituted in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for preparation of area specific programmes of the eight states i.e. MP, UP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Uttaranchal and Jharkhand.