Lok Sabha Question No. 4210 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-11
Subject: National Health Policy 2017
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: PARVESH SAHIB SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUEST ION NO. 4210 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 TH AUGUST, 2017

## NATIONAL HEALTH POLI CY 2017

## 4210. SHRI PARVESH SAHIB SINGH:

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

- (a) whether the Government has the latest data on the incidence of geriatric health issu the details thereof, State/ UT - wise, including Delhi;
- (b) if not, the reasons therefo r;
- (c) whether the National Health Policy 2017 (NHP) recognises a need to address geriatric concerns and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  implement  measures  in  line  with  the  NHP address geriatric he alth concerns and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE ( SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL )

- (a) & (b):      The Government is currently implementing 'Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI)'  survey through  Indian  Institute  of  Population  Sciences  (IIPS),  Mumbai  which  wa launched  on  22 nd March,  2016  under  the  tertiary  level  activities  of  National  Programme Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE) to assess the health status of the elderly (age45 - 60). LA SI is designed to cover four major subjects and policy domain of adult and older population i.e. Health, Health Care & Health Financing, Social Factors and Economic Situation. This p is going to be one of the largest comprehensive ageing sur veys in the world with a sample size of 61,000.  Currently,  data  collection  is  in  progress  in  16  States/UTs.  The  fact  sheets indicators of  geriatric health for these 16 States/UTs are planned to be presented by 2018.  Information of remaining States/UTs is planned to be released in December, 2018.
- (c):          Yes.        The  following  point  no.  3.3.1,  4.6  and  16  of  National  Health  Poli recognises a need to address geriatric health concerns: -
- 3.3.1 Primary Care Services and Continuity of Car e : 'This policy denotes important change from  very  selective  to  comprehensive  primary  health  care  package  which  includes  geria health care, palliative care and rehabilitative care services'.

4.6 Non -Communicable Diseases :  'The  Nation al Health Policy commits itself to culturally appropriate community centered solutions to meet the health needs of the ageing communit addition to compliance with constitutional obligations as per the Maintenance and Welfa Parents and Senior Citiz ens Act, 2007. The policy recognizes the growing need for palliative a rehabilitative  care  for  all  geriatric  illnesses  and  advocates  the  continuity  of  care levels'.

16 Medical Technologies : 'At the tertiary care level too, at least for in - pat ients and out - patients in geriatric and chronic care segments, most drugs and diagnostics should be free or sub with fair price selling mechanisms for most and some co -payments for the 'well - to do'.

(d):   Yes.

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfar e had launched the 'National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly' (NPHCE) during 2010 - 11 t o address various health related problems of elderly people.

The  major  objectives  of  the  NPHCE  are  establishment  of  Department  of  Geriatric identified Medical Institutions as Regional Geriatric Centres for different regions of t and  to  provide  dedicated  health  facilities  in  District  Hospitals, Community  Health  Centres (CHCs),  Primary  Health  Centres  (PHCs)  and  Sub - Centres  (SCs)  levels  through  State  Health Society. The following measures are being taken under the programme to address geriatric concerns: -

- i) Setting up of Geriatric department in identified Regional Geriatric Centres (RGC) with OPD care services and 30 bedded Geriatric ward for providing indoor services..
2. ii) Setting up of Geriatric units at District Hospitals that will provide specialist ser bedded Geriatric Ward will also be set up for providing indoor services.
3. iii) Establishment of Rehabilitation unit at all Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Geria clinic twice/week.
4. iv) Setting  up  weekly  Geriatric  clinic  by  trained  medical  Officer  at  Primary  Health  Ce (PHCs).
- v) Infor mation, Education and Communication (IEC) on healthy life style, home care to t bed ridden and supportive devices for the needy elderly persons at sub -centre level.

In  addition,  Two  National  Centres  of  Ageing  (NCAs),  being  developed  under  the pro gramme within the premises of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New De and Madras Medical College (MMC), Chennai, have functions as indicated below: -

- Health Care delivery with 200 bedded facility
- Training of Health Professionals
- Researchactivity
- Development of Health Professionals.
- Development of IEC material and course curricula.

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