Lok Sabha Question No. 5019 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-31
Subject: National Health Policy
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY, ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO, SUDHEER GUPTA, PREM DAS RAI, JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5019 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 ST MARCH, 2017

## NATIONAL HEALTH POLI CY

## 5019. DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD:

SHRI S.R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

SHRI KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY:

SHRI ASHOK SHANKARRAO CHAVAN:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA:

SHRI PREM DAS RAI:

SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA:

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

- (a) the details of main highlights of the draft of the National Health Policy, 2017;
- (b) whether the Government has been actively considering to make health a fundamental right similar to education and the ways and means through which the new National Health Pol icy, 2017 is different from the previous National Health Policy, if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether issues of gender equity is an integral part of the policy as directed by the Honourable Supreme Courtaccording to judgment W.P. (C) No. 95 of 2012 a nd if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the reasons for the inordinate delay in implementing the new National Health Policy and the time by which it is likely to be implemented;
- (e) whether the per capita annual expenditure on public health is very low as com pared to other developing countries and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor; and
- (f) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to increase amount of expenditure on public health?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

- (a): The  details  of  major  highlights  of  the  National  Health  Policy,  2017  is  give Annexure-I.
- (b): At present ,there is no proposal under consideration of the Government to make health a fundamental right. However, National Health Policy, 2017 advocates progressively incremental Assurance based Approach with focus on preventive and promotive healthcare.

(c): The  National  Health  Policy  2017  recognises  that  improved  access,  education  a empowerment would be the basis of successful population stabilization. The policy imperat to move away from camp based services with all its attendant problems of quality , safety and dignity of women, to a situation where these services are available on any day of the we least on a fixed day.

(d): The process of formulation of the new National Health Policy entailed wide consulta with multiple stakeholders, Re gional consultations, approval of Central Council of Health and Family Welfare and Group of Ministers. The Cabinet in its meeting held on 15 th March, 2017 approved the National Health Policy, 2017.

(e): A  statement  showing  per  capita  expenditure  on  public health  in  India vis - à- vis  other select developing countries in 2014 is given at Annexure -II.

(f): The National Health Policy 2017 envisages raising public health progressively to 2.5% of the GDP by 2025.

expenditu

## ANNEXURE-I

## Details of  Major Highlights of National Health Policy, 2017

1. Assurance Based ApproachPolicy advocates progressively incremental Assurance based Approach with focus on preventive and promotive healthcare
2. Health Card linked to health facilities- Policy recommends linking the health card to primary care facility for a defined package of services anywhere in the country.
3. Patient  Centric  ApproachPolicy  recommends  the  setting  up  of  a separate, empowered  medical tribunal for speedy resolution to address  disputes  /complaints  regarding  standards  of  care,  prices  of services, negligence and unfair practices. Standard Regulatory framework for laboratories and imaging centers, specialized emerging services, etc
4. Micronutrient DeficiencyFocus on reducing micronutrient malnourishment and systematic approach to address heterogeneity in micronutrient adequacy across regions.
5. Quality of Care- Public hospitals and facilities would undergo periodic measurements and certification of level of quality. Focus on Standard Regulatory  Framework  to eliminate  risks  of  inappropriate  care  by maintaining adequate standards of diagnosis and treatment.
6. Make in India Initiative- Policy advocates the need to incentivize local manufacturing to provide customized indigenous products for Indian population in the long run.
7. Application of Digital Health- Policy advocates extensive deployment of digital tools for improving the efficiency and outcome of the healthcare system  and  aims  at  an  integrated  health  information  system  which serves the needs of all stake-holders and improves efficiency, transparency, and citizen experience.
8. Private Sector engagement for strategic purchase for critical gap filling and for achievement of health goals.

## \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

A statement showing per capita expenditure on public health in India    vis-à-vis other select developing countries in 2014

| Country                    |   General Government (GGHE) per Capita in US$ 2014 | Health   | Expenditure   |
|----------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|----------|---------------|
| India                      |                                                 23 |          |               |
| Thailand                   |                                                177 |          |               |
| China                      |                                                234 |          |               |
| South Africa               |                                                275 |          |               |
| Mexico                     |                                                351 |          |               |
| Iran (Islamic Republic of) |                                                145 |          |               |
| Indonesia                  |                                                 38 |          |               |
| Sri Lanka                  |                                                 71 |          |               |
| Malaysia                   |                                                252 |          |               |

Source: WHO: Global Health Expenditure Database, 2014