Lok Sabha Question No. 2570 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-06
Subject: Healthcare Challenges
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: H. Vasanthakumar

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2570 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 TH MARCH, 2020

## HEALTHCARE CHALLENGE S

## 2570. SHRI VASANTHAKUMAR H.:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware that WHO has outlined 13 healthcare challenges which be in focus in 2020, if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken in this regard;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to invest in newer form of antibiotics, if so, the d thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to create the awareness for keeping healthcare and hy which lacks in basic services across the country;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and funds allocated in this regard; and
- (e) the other steps being taken by the Government to achieve this in 2020?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a): Yes. WHO has released a list of the following 13 global health challenges for the decade on 13.01.2020:
- 1) Elevating health in the Climate debate
- 2) Delivering health in conflict and crisis
- 3) Making healthcare fairer
- 4) Expanding access to medicines
- 5) Stopping infecti ous diseases
- 6) Preparing for epidemics
- 7) Protecting people from dangerous products
- 8) Investing in the people who defend our health
- 9) Keeping adolescents safe
- 10)Earning public trust
- 11)Harnessing new technologies
- 12)Protecting the medicines that protect us
- 13)Keeping health care clean

The  details  are  available  on  WHO's  website  at https://www.who.int/news - room/photo story/photo - story - detail/urgent - healt h- challenges - for - the - next - decade .

(b):    The  Government  has  created  a  conducive  regulatory  environment  through  appropri amendments in the Drugs and Cosmetic Rules 1945 including notification of New Drugs an Clinical Trials Rules 2019 in the country to g ive an impetus to innovation and Research  & Development  in  the  area  of  new  drugs  including  antibiotics,  which  is  also  likely  to  r further investment in pharmaceuticals.

(c):  The Government of India has introduced the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan on 2 nd October, 2014 to promote cleanliness in public space.  Ministry of health and Family Welfare has laun national  initiative  'KAYAKALP'  on  15 th May, 2015 to promote cleanliness and enhance the quality  of  public  health  facilities  under  which  the  Swachht a  guidelines  have  been  issued  for health facilities.

As  part  of  the  Ayushman  Bharat,  the  Government  is  supporting  the  States  f strengthening Sub Health Centers and Primary Health Centers to be transformed as Health Wellness Centers (AB -HWCs) for pro vision of comprehensive primary health care that includes preventions  healthcare  and  health  promotion  including  interventions  for  hygiene,  a community level with continuum of care approach.

Services at Aushman Bharat -Health & Wellness Centers Service s (AB- HWCs) are free and universal to all individuals residing in the service area.

Under  AB- HWCS,  Compressive  Primary  Healthcare  is  being  provided  to  include, preventive,  curative,  palliative  and  rehabilitative  services.  Services  like  Populati enumeration of persons above 30 years of age and screening of individuals prioritizing hi cases for Non Communicable Disease - Hypertension, Diabetes and three common cancers (oral, cervix and breast) along with communicable diseases like TB and leprosy has b en initiated at these AB - HBCs.

Health promotion and wellness activities like Yoga and other physical activities ar provided, apart from services already being provided for Maternal and Child Health incl immunization  and  communicable  disea ses.    The  four  areas  of  Fit  India -Physical  activity, healthy eating, environmentally friendly & sustainable lifestyle and preventive health are part of wellness activities being propagated through the functional AB - HWCs.

(d): For the FY 2019 - 20, Rs.1600 crore has been allocated under Ayushman Bharat -Health & Wellness Centers Services (AB -HWCs).

(e): Some  of  the  other  steps  being  taken  by  the Government  to  create  the  awareness  for keeping healthcare and hygiene in basic health services across the country are as follows: -

- i) Organising Swachchhta Pakhwada in hospitals and offices;
2. ii) Provisioning of adequate water in health facilities;
3. iii) Conducting workshops for healthcare workers;
4. iv) Regular in - house training and induction programme for various cadres in hospitals;
- v) Dustbins are installed at required places;
6. vi) Mechanized cleaning has been increased;
7. vii) Condemned articles are removed at regular interval;
8. viii) Training of hospital staff for biomedical waste management, hand hygiene, proper of personal protective measures.
9. ix) Sensitization of patients and visitors to the hospitals regarding waste disposa hygiene and use of safe drinking water, etc.;
- x) IEC activities  such  as  workshops/  seminars/  trainings/  nukad  nataks  are  conduc regularly to spread awareness for health and hygiene among the people under Kay -Kalp Programme;
11. xi) Promotion of  'NO USE OF PLASTICS';

In addition to the above steps being tak en, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in January  2020,  has  also  released  the  National  Guidelines  on  Implementation  of  Infec Prevention  and  Control,  which  also  include  the  importance  of  hand - hygiene  in  prevention  of infection in healthcare faci lities. These guidelines are being disseminated widely and traini resources are being developed for training of trainers in the states.

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