Lok Sabha Question No. 3434 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-08
Subject: Health Services for Tribals in UP
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Ram Shiromani Verma

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3434 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08 th AUGUST 2025

## HEALTH SERVICES FOR TRIBALS IN UP

## †3434. SHRI RAM SHIROMANI VERMA:

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

(a) whether the Government is paying special attention towards the healthcare and family welfare facilities provided to the Tharu tribal community residing in the aspirational districts of Uttar Pradesh, particularly in Shravasti and Balrampur and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the youths and families of Tharu tribe has been benefitted from the 'Ayushman Bharat' scheme or other health insurance schemes in these districts;

(c) if so, the number of person(s) who have benefitted from these schemes so far;

(d) whether the health services have been expanded specifically for tribal women and children in these districts, if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether any special initiatives have been taken for rehabilitation and mental health support after COVID-19 in these districts; and

(f) if so, the details and its impact thereof?

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

## (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a): Health being a State subject, the primary responsibility for providing healthcare services lies with the respective State Governments and Union Territories. However, under the National Health Mission (NHM), support is provided to all states, including Uttar Pradesh, to improve the availability and accessibility of quality healthcare services for all, with special emphasis on tribal and hilly areas.

As per the information provided by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh, special health camps are being organised for the Tharu tribals in Shravasti and Balrampur Districts. In Balrampur district, Community Health Officer (CHO), ANM and Asha workers have been selected in rural areas to provide care and family welfare services to the Tharu tribal community where medical facilities are being provided to the general public.

(b) & (c): As informed by the State Government of Uttar Pradesh, in Shravasti district a total of 632 beneficiaries have been covered with golden cards under Ayushman Bharat scheme so far in comparison to a total of 791 beneficiaries. Further, In the Balrampur district,, 6270 persons have been given the benefit of Ayushman Bharat Yojana in Tharu dominated areas.

(d): Government of Uttar Pradesh has informed that health facilities are being provided in the Shravasti District under all the health schemes. Also in the district Balrampur health facilities are being continuously expanded in the Tharu tribal dominated area for the health of tribal women and children, ensuring adequate availability of equipment and medicines including medical officer, paramedical staff.

(e) & (f): Keeping in view that the impact that COVID-19 may have on the mental health of the people including tribals of Shravasti and Balrampur districts, the Government has taken several initiatives to provide psychosocial support after COVID-19. These initiatives include:

i. Issuance and dissemination of detailed guidelines by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru"Mental Health in the times of COVID-19 Pandemic - Guidance for General Medical and Specialized Mental Health Care Settings".

ii. The Government launched 'National Tele Mental Health Programme' (NTMHP) on 10th October 2022. It functions as the digital arm of the District Mental Health Programme to provide universal access to equitable, accessible, affordable and quality mental health care through 24 x 7 tele-mental health counselling services.

iii. Tele MANAS Mobile Application launched on World Mental Health Day, i.e. 10th October, 2024 is a comprehensive mobile platform developed to provide support for mental health issues ranging from well-being to mental disorders.

iv. Integration of mental healthcare services at primary healthcare level. Mental health services have been added in the package of services under Comprehensive Primary Health Care provided at Ayushman Bharat - Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AB-AAM).

v. To mobilize efforts in support of mental health and to raise awareness about mental health issues and advocate against the social stigma that surrounds mental health, the World Mental Health Day is also observed on 10th October of each year.

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