Lok Sabha Question No. 314 (STARRED), answered on 2025-03-21
Subject: Compliance of NHM Guidelines
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Jyotirmay Singh Mahato, Shri Saumitra Khan

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. † * 314 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21 st MARCH,2025

## COMPLIANCE OF NHM GUIDELINES

## † *314: SHRI JYOTIRMAY SINGH MAHATO: SHRI SAUMITRAKHAN:

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

- (a) the specific guidelines under the National Health Mission (NHM) which have not been adopted by the State Government of West Bengal;
- (b) the steps taken to ensure the compliance of Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centre (AB-HWC) guidelines by the Government of West Bengal;
- (c) whether the Government of West Bengal has participated in central health consultation programmes such as Ayushman Bhava and Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

- (a) to (d): AStatement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. † * 314 FOR 21 st MARCH,2025

(a) to (d): A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the MoHFW, Government of India (GoI) and the West Bengal Government for implementation of National Health Mission (NHM) from 01.04.2021 to 31.03.2026.

Clause 10.3 of the MoU specifies that "The State shall ensure that the implementation of the programme/activities envisaged under the Mission is as per the Framework of Implementation of NHM and other guidelines provided by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare from time to time."

Clause 10.10 of the MoU specifies that "The State Government shall adhere to all the existing manuals, guidelines, instructions and circulars issued in connection with implementation of the NHM, which are not contrary to the provisions of this MoU.".

Detailed guidelines for branding of Ayushman Bharat - Health and Wellness Centres (AB -HWCs) (now called Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) were issued to all States/UTs vide letter dated 30 th May, 2018. All States/UTs were directed to rename Ayushman Bharat - Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) as 'Ayushman Arogya Mandir' (AAM) vide letters dated 25 th November 2023.

West Bengal Government did not adhere the provisions of Clause 10.3 and 10.10 of MoU signed between the Ministry of Health & family Welfare, Government of India and the State.

Several communications had been sent to West Bengal on the issue of the noncompliance of the guidelines. Funds were also not released to the State due to non-compliance of the guidelines.

Vide letter dated 18.01.2025, Government of West Bengal has informed of the decision to rename 'Health & Wellness Centres' as 'Ayushman Arogya Kendra' across the state. The same has been agreed to.

Under NHM, the performance of various health programmes is regularly assessed in all the States/UTs including West Bengal, through review meetings, mid-term reviews of key deliverables, field visits of senior officials, promoting performance by setting up benchmarks for service delivery & rewarding achievements etc.

Also, Common Review Missions (CRM) are conducted annually to assess and monitor the progress and implementation status under the scheme. 16 th CRM in 2024 visited Malda and 24 North Pargana Districts of West Bengal wherein detailed review for the public health systems was done including visiting to the facilities, beneficiary interaction, discussion with the Health care Team. The details of 16th CRM report are available at the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) as under:

## https://nhsrcindia.org/16th-crm-report-2024

Government of West Bengal has participated in 100 Days' Tuberculosis Elimination Campaign, Mass Drugs Adminitration (MDA) Campaign and various other consultations, workshops and conferences. However, it did not participate in Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra and Ayushman Bhav.

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