Compulsory Testing of Packaged Food Products
Compulsory Testing of Packaged Food Products
As per the conditions of license prescribed in the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulation, 2011, all food business operators have to ensure testing of relevant chemical and/or microbiological contaminants in food products in accordance with these regulations as frequently as required on the basis of historical data and risk assessment to ensure production and delivery of safe food through own or NABL accredited /Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) notified labs at least once in six months. Every food business operator in the country has to follow and comply with Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, Rules and Regulations made there under.
Besides, safety standards of food items have been notified in respect of around 365 categories of food products. These standards are enforced by the Food Safety Departments of the States/UTs.
The MoS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.
*****
Standardisation of Fees Charged by Private Hospitals and Laboratories
As public health is a state subject, the primary responsibility to provide affordable healthcare to the citizens lies with the State/Union Territory (UT) Governments. However, under the National Health Mission, financial support is provided to the States/UTs to strengthen the public health system, including support for infrastructure, human resource, drugs, equipment, etc. based on the requirement proposed by the States/UTs in their Programme Implementation Plans. To reduce ‘Out of Pocket Expenditure’ in public health facilities, several initiatives such as Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), expansion of Universal Immunisation Programme, free emergency referral services and the NHM-Free Drugs Service Initiative and the NHM-Free Diagnostic Service Initiative have been rolled out. Further, under Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna, health Insurance coverage is provided to BPL families up to Rs. 30,000/- per family per year.
As health is a State subject, such proposals have to be formulated at the State level especially as Clinical Establishments (Regulation and Registration) Act, 2010 has not been adopted by many States.
The MoS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.
*****
Medical Care for Cancer Patients in Government Hospitals
As per the data provided by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), men are more prone to mouth cancer and women are more prone to breast cancer. According to data provided by ICMR, deaths due to lung cancer account for 14.7% of all cancer deaths in males and are the top cause of cancer deaths for men in the country. The deaths due to cervical cancer account for 24.1% and breast cancer account for 16.3% of all female cancer deaths. Hence, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women.
The estimated number of deaths due to stomach cancer (in both men and women combined) for the year 2014 and accounts for 4.3% of deaths due to all anatomical sites of cancer. Stomach cancer is the sixth leading cause of death in both men and women.
The estimated new (fresh) mouth cancer cases in India for the year 1990 are 45191 and for 2013 are 108076. Mouth cancer has high Age Adjusted Rate (AAR) in Indian cancer registries for both males and females and was among the highest in the world.
The Central Government supplements the efforts of the state government for improving healthcare including prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. At present, the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) being implemented under National Health Mission (NHM) for interventions up to the district level includes awareness generation for Cancer prevention, screening, early detection and referral to an appropriate level institution for treatment. The focus is on three areas namely breast, cervical and oral Cancer. Screening guidelines have been provided to State Governments for implementation. Suspected cases are to be referred for confirmatory diagnosis by various tests including histo-pathological biopsy.
The Government of India has approved “Tertiary Care for Cancer” Scheme under National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) in the year 2013-14. Under the said scheme, Government of India will assist to establish/set up 20 State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and 50 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCC) in different parts of the country. The maximum assistance inclusive of State share for SCI is up to Rs.120 crore and for TCCC is up to Rs.45 crore subject to eligibility as per scheme guidelines and availability of funds.
The treatment for cancer in government hospitals is either free or subsidized. In addition to cancer diagnosis and treatment by the State Governments Health Institutes, the Central Government Institutions such as All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Safdurjung Hospital, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, PGIMER Chandigarh, JIPMER Puducherry, Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, etc. provide facilities for diagnosis and treatment of Cancer.
Oncology in its various aspects has focus in case of new AIIMS and many upgraded institutions under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY). Setting up of National Cancer Institute at Jhajjar (Haryana) and 2nd campus of Chittranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata has also been approved.
Financial assistance to Below Poverty Line (BPL) patients is available under the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN). Besides this, the Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF) within the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi has been set up in 2009 wherein 27 erstwhile Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs) are provided with revolving funds to provide immediate financial assistance up to Rs.2.00 lakh to BPL cancer patients.
The MoS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.
*****
Non-Defining of Junk Food Under Food Safety Act
“Junk Food” has not been defined under the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006.
At present, there is no proposal under consideration of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to define junk food under the FSS Act. However, guidelines for making available Wholesome, Nutritious, Safe and Hygienic Food to School children in the country have been framed by the Central Advisory Committee, FSSAI.
The National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), ICMR has not conducted a study on junk food. A study had, however, been conducted by NIN to assess ill-effects of consumption of Carbonated Water beverages (CWBs) on the health of adolescents and young Adults, which showed higher increments of body fat in young consumers.
The consumers are educated/made aware of the food safety through consumer awareness programmes launched jointly by the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). These include advertisements in different media, campaigns launched by the FSSAI on social media such as Face-book, documentary films on YouTube, educational booklets, information on FSSAI website, stalls at Fairs/Melas/Events and mass awareness campaigns.
The MoS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.
*****
Awareness Programme on Ill-Effects of Fast Food
The Government is aware of the reports appearing in the media about adverse effects of junk food, and also aware of the findings of the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Indian Council of Medical Research, Hyderabad about ill-effects of consumption of Carbonated Water beverages (CWBs) on health of adolescents and young adults, which showed higher increments of body fat in young consumers.
The consumers are educated/made aware of the food safety through consumer awareness programmes launched jointly by the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). These include advertisements in different media, campaigns launched by the FSSAI on social media such as Face-book, documentary films on YouTube, educational booklets, information on FSSAI website, stalls at Fairs/Melas/Events and mass awareness campaigns.
Guidelines for making available Wholesome, Nutritious, Safe and Hygienic Food to School children in India have been framed by the Central Advisory Committee, FSSAI.
The MoS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.
*****
Universal Health Coverage
The Central Government is committed to assisting the States/UTs in the direction of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). This is however to be carried out in a phased manner given the need for requisite infrastructure and adequate capacity in the states. Under the National Health Mission (NHM), support is being provided to States/UTs to strengthen their healthcare delivery system including for provision of free/affordable healthcare, free drugs and diagnostics to all those who access public health facilities. The primary healthcare needs of urban population particularly poor and vulnerable population have also been brought under the ambit of NHM with the launch of the National Urban Health Mission as its Sub Mission.
In addition, under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) this has recently been transferred to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, cashless benefit uptoRs. 30,000 per annum per family of five for specified hospitalization procedures are available to all BPL population and eleven other categories of vulnerable population groups. As regards tertiary care, apart from 6 AIIMS which have been made operational, 9 AIIMS have been announced. Apart from this, 70 Medical Colleges/Institutions have been taken up for upgradation.
Further, approval has been given to set up 17 new Medical Colleges and upgradation of 22 District Hospitals into Medical Colleges in the last one year towards universalization of tertiary care. At present, there is no proposal to make UHC tax-funded and cashless at delivery.
Public health being a state subject, primary responsibility to provide healthcare services lies with the State Governments. However, under National Health Mission (NHM) financial and technical support is provided to the State/UT Governments for health system strengthening, including provision for medicine and diagnostics at all public health facilities and referral linkages, patient transport system, etc, based on the proposals made by them in their Programme Implementation Plans.
The MoS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.
*****
Mechanism
to Check Pesticides in Food Items
The standards for pesticides in food products,
potable water and fruits have been prescribed under the Food Safety and
Standards (Contaminants, Toxins and Residues) Regulations, 2011. The
States/UTs which are responsible for enforcement of the
Act draw samples and take action as per laid down procedures to ensure
conformance with the standards.
The details of laboratories
approved/authorized by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India are
indicated below:-
State – wise list of Food Testing Laboratories
|
Sr. No.
|
State/UT
|
Number of State/ Public
Food Laboratories
|
Number of Referral Food
Labs*
|
Number of NABL Accredited
Private Labs notified by FSSAI
|
|
1.
|
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
|
2.
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
|
3.
|
Assam
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
|
4.
|
Bihar
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
|
5.
|
Chhattisgarh
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
|
6.
|
Daman and Diu
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
|
7.
|
NCT of Delhi
|
1
|
-
|
11
|
|
8.
|
Goa
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
|
9.
|
Gujarat
|
6
|
1
|
3
|
|
10.
|
Haryana
|
2
|
-
|
8
|
|
11.
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
|
12.
|
Jammu and Kashmir
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
|
13.
|
Jharkhand
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
|
14.
|
Karnataka
|
4
|
2
|
7
|
|
15.
|
Kerala
|
3
|
1
|
5
|
|
16.
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
3
|
-
|
3
|
|
17.
|
Maharashtra
|
11
|
2
|
18
|
|
18.
|
Meghalaya
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
|
19.
|
Nagaland
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
|
20.
|
Odisha
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
|
21.
|
Puducherry
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
|
22.
|
Punjab
|
3
|
-
|
2
|
|
23.
|
Rajasthan
|
8
|
-
|
3
|
|
24.
|
Tamil Nadu
|
7
|
1
|
7
|
|
25.
|
Telangana
|
1
|
1
|
5
|
|
26.
|
Tripura
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
|
27.
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
3
|
2
|
3
|
|
28.
|
Uttarakhand
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
|
29.
|
West Bengal
|
5
|
1
|
5
|
|
|
Total
|
72
|
12
|
82
|
*The Referral Food Laboratories work as appellate laboratories for the
purpose of analysis of appeal samples of food lifted by the Food Safety
Officers of the State/UTs and local bodies and the imported food samples.
The MoS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik
stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.
*****
Medical facilities provided by government for Treatment of various
diseases
According to the World Health Organization, the estimated number of
tuberculosis patients in the country is 26 lakh whereas the estimated mortality
attributable to tuberculosis is 2.4 lakh. As of May 2015, a total of 8, 69,576
HIV/AIDS patient are receiving free Antiretroviral Therapy (ART). Numbers of
patients reported died at ART centres during the last three financial years are
as below:
· 2011-12: 35,265
· 2012-13: 29,466
· 2013-14: 41,956
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) conducts studies on incidence
and prevalence of different diseases. Among the major Non-Communicable Diseases
(NCDs), as per disease burden study on non-communicable diseases by ICMR, the
number of estimated cases and deaths for Diabetes Mellitus and Ischemic Heart
Disease (IHD) in 2004 are as under:
|
Disease
|
Number
of cases (in lakhs)
|
No. of
deaths (in lakhs)
|
|
Diabetes
|
378
|
1.0
|
|
IHD
|
224
|
5.5
|
While health is a state subject, the Central Government supplements the
efforts of the state governments to provide health care.
The Government of India, along with state governments, has been
implementing the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) in the
country which since 2005 is under the aegis of the National Health Mission
(NHM). Under the programme, more than 13000 designated microscopy centres have
been established for quality diagnosis of TB. Programmatic Management of Drug
Resistant TB (PMDT) Services under RNTCP were initiated in India from year 2007
and the entire country was covered by 2013. Diagnosis of Drug Resistant TB is
conducted through quality assured drug susceptibility testing at 62 Culture and
Drug Susceptibility Testing laboratories, in addition to availability of rapid
molecular tests like Line Probe Assay (LPA) and Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid
Amplification Test (CBNAAT). Under RNTCP, drugs are provided under direct
observation and the patients are monitored to facilitate adherence to and
completion of treatment. Most government hospitals, Community Health Centres
(CHCs), Primary Health Centres (PHC), sub-Centres function as DOT centres.
Diagnosis and treatment under RNTCP is provided free of cost. In the year 2014,
1445284 persons were registered under RNTCP.
As of May 2015, there are 510 Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) centres and
1068 Link Antiretroviral Therapy (LAC) in the country and through them a total
of 8, 69,576 HIV/AIDS patients are receiving free of cost Antiretroviral
Therapy (ART). The PLHIV are provided free basic diagnostic services, free CD4
count and free ARV drugs. Medicines for NCD’s are made available to
patients both in Central and State Governments Health facilities free of cost
or at subsidized rates. However, the number of persons getting such benefits is
not maintained centrally.
The Government of India launched a National Programme for Prevention and
Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardio-vascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) in
July, 2010 in 100 Districts in 21 States. From 2013-14, the programme has
been brought under the umbrella of National Health Mission (NHM) and expanded
to cover more districts in all states and UTs. During 12th Plan, the
activities under NPCDCS include strengthening of health infrastructure by
setting up of NCD clinics, providing necessary manpower for programme
activities, health promotion activities, screening, early diagnosis, treatment
and referral of patients suffering from these diseases through public health
delivery system.
The trend of support under RNTCP is on the rise. During the last 3
years, Rs.1621 crores (aggregate) was released to the States under RNTCP.
The amount spent on procurement of (Antiretroviral) ARV Drugs by
National Aids Control Organization (NACO) during the last two years is as
under:-
|
Drugs
|
Contracts
awarded including sales and other taxes (INR in crore)
|
|
|
2013-14
|
2014-15
|
|
|
ARV
Drugs
|
467.32
|
513.60
|
During the last 3 years, Rs.310.38 crore was released to the State
Government under the NPCDCS. The details of average expenditure incurred by
individuals for treatment of RNTCP, AIDS, Diabetes and heart-related diseases
from private or with government health facilities in the country are not
centrally maintained.
There has been a marginal increase in cost of First Line anti-TB drugs
over the last few years. Details regarding medicines during the last three
years are given below:-
As far as ARV Drugs are concerned, the variance in percentage increase
of cost for first and second line drugs and pediatric drugs during the last two
years is placed below:-
Cost comparison of ARV Drugs procured
during last two years
|
S. No
|
Drug
|
Last Purchase Price (including taxes &
duties)
|
NOA Award date
|
Last Purchase Price (including taxes &
duties)
|
NOA Award date
|
Recently awarded unit price (including taxes
& duties)
|
NOA Award date
|
Variance in percentage between recently awarded
and last awarded Contract
|
Remarks
|
|
First Line ARV Drugs
|
|
||||||||
|
1
|
TLE- Tenofivir 300mg+ Lamivudine 300mg + Efavirenz 600mg
|
|
|
21.105
|
23.09.2014
|
21.105
|
8.05.2015
|
N/A
|
NACO procured first time this drug in 2 installments of 50% quantity
of the same tender
|
|
2
|
ZLN- Zidovudine 300mg+ Lamivudine 150 mg + Nevirapine 200 mg
|
8.4105
|
10.09.2013
|
8.6625
|
23.09.2014
|
8.652
|
8.05.2015
|
-0.12%
|
NACO procured 50% qty from the same tender in 2 installments with
different cost
|
|
3
|
ZL (Adult)- Zidovudine 300mg+ Lamivudine 150 mg
|
|
|
6.589
|
30.08.2012
|
6.6084
|
10.09.2013
|
0.29%
|
|
|
4
|
TL (Adult)- Tenofivir 300mg+ Lamivudine 300mg
|
|
|
11.55
|
10.09.2013
|
11.928
|
23.09.2014
|
3.17%
|
Additional 25% qty was procured from the same tender on 26.06.2014
|
|
5
|
EFV (Adult)- Efavirenz 600mg
|
|
|
5.985
|
30.08.2012
|
6.6296
|
10.09.2013
|
9.72%
|
|
|
6
|
NVP (Adult)- Nevirapine 200mg
|
|
|
2.2575
|
1.11.2013
|
2.24174
|
23.09.2014
|
-0.70%
|
|
|
7
|
SLN- Stavudine 30 mg + Lamivudine 150 mg +Nevirapine 200 mg
|
|
|
3.748
|
01.09.2011
|
4.8294
|
10.09.2013
|
22.39%
|
|
|
8
|
SL (Adult)- Stavudine 30 mg + Lamivudine 150 mg
|
|
|
2.437
|
30.08.2012
|
2.7218
|
10.09.2013
|
10.46%
|
|
|
Second Line ARV Drugs
|
|
||||||||
|
1
|
Lopinavir/Ritonavir (Adult)- Lopinavir 200mg + Ritonavir 50 mg
|
|
|
11.55
|
10.10.2013
|
11.8502
|
24.10.2014
|
2.53%
|
|
|
2
|
Atazanavir (Adult)- Atazanavir 300mg
|
|
|
23.247
|
30.03.2012
|
30.45
|
14.03.2014
|
23.66%
|
|
|
3
|
Ritonavir (RTV)- Ritonavir 100mg
|
|
|
11.54
|
30.03.2012
|
14.6475
|
14.03.2014
|
21.22%
|
|
|
4
|
AL (Adult)- Abacavir 600 mg + Lamivudine 300 mg
|
|
|
|
|
31.5
|
23.09.2014
|
|
NACO procured first time
|
|
5
|
FDC ATV/RTV- Atazanavir 300 mg + Ritonavir 100 mg
|
|
|
|
|
36.75
|
23.06.2015
|
|
NACO procured first time
|
|
Paediatric ARV Drugs
|
|
||||||||
|
1
|
ZLN - Zidovudine 60 mg+ Lamivudine 30 mg + Nevirapine 50 mg
|
|
|
3.654
|
01.10.2013
|
3.705
|
30.10.2014
|
1.38%
|
|
|
2
|
AL (ABC+3TC)-Abacavir 60 mg + Lamivudine 30 mg
|
|
|
3.9165
|
3.04.2014
|
3.7705
|
30.10.2014
|
-3.87%
|
|
|
3
|
NVP 50 -Nevirapine 50mg
|
|
|
2.415
|
1.10.2013
|
1.836
|
30.10.2014
|
-31.54%
|
|
|
4
|
Lopinavir/Ritonavir - Lopinavir 100mg+ Ritonavir 25mg
|
|
|
10.5
|
01.10.2013
|
10.773
|
30.10.2014
|
2.53%
|
|
|
5
|
Lopinavir/Ritonavir Syrup -Lopinavir 80mg + Ritonavir 20 mg Syrup, 160
ml
|
|
|
|
|
1890.00
|
9.10.2014
|
N/A
|
NACO procured first time
|
|
6
|
ZL- Zidovudine 60 mg + Lamivudine 30 mg
|
|
|
2.0016
|
1.10.2013
|
2.02
|
18.06.2015
|
0.91%
|
|
|
7
|
SLN- Stavudine 6 mg + Lamivudine 30 mg +Nevirapine 50 mg
|
|
|
|
|
2.7896
|
30.10.2014
|
N/A
|
NACO procured first time
|
|
8
|
SL- Stavudine 6 mg + Lamivudine 30 mg
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N/A
|
This drug is not procured by NACO
|
|
9
|
EFV- Efavirenz 200mg
|
|
|
3.4335
|
3.04.2014
|
3.489
|
30.10.2014
|
1.59%
|
|
In respect Diabetes and heart related Diseases, procurement of
drugs is not maintained centrally.
The MoS, Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik stated this in a written
reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.
*****
Decline in Infant Mortality Rate
As per the Sample
Registration System (SRS) Reports published by the Registrar General of India,
the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in the country has declined steadily from
47/1000 live births in 2010 to 40/1000 live births in 2013.
The details of Infant Mortality Rate, State and UT wise as per the SRS
Reports 2010-2013 are given below:-
State-wise IMR
in India as per SRS Reports (2010-2013)
|
State/UTs
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
2013
|
|
India
|
47
|
44
|
42
|
40
|
|
Bihar
|
48
|
44
|
43
|
42
|
|
Chhattisgarh
|
51
|
48
|
47
|
46
|
|
Himachal Pradesh
|
40
|
38
|
36
|
35
|
|
Jammu and Kashmir
|
43
|
41
|
39
|
37
|
|
Jharkhand
|
42
|
39
|
38
|
37
|
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
62
|
59
|
56
|
54
|
|
Odisha
|
61
|
57
|
53
|
51
|
|
Rajasthan
|
55
|
52
|
49
|
47
|
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
61
|
57
|
53
|
50
|
|
Uttarakhand
|
38
|
36
|
34
|
32
|
|
Arunachal Pradesh
|
31
|
32
|
33
|
32
|
|
Assam
|
58
|
55
|
55
|
54
|
|
Manipur
|
14
|
11
|
10
|
10
|
|
Meghalaya
|
55
|
52
|
49
|
47
|
|
Mizoram
|
37
|
34
|
35
|
35
|
|
Nagaland
|
23
|
21
|
18
|
18
|
|
Sikkim
|
30
|
26
|
24
|
22
|
|
Tripura
|
27
|
29
|
28
|
26
|
|
Andhra Pradesh
|
46
|
43
|
41
|
39
|
|
Goa
|
10
|
11
|
10
|
9
|
|
Gujarat
|
44
|
41
|
38
|
36
|
|
Haryana
|
48
|
44
|
42
|
41
|
|
Karnataka
|
38
|
35
|
32
|
31
|
|
Kerala
|
13
|
12
|
12
|
12
|
|
Maharashtra
|
28
|
25
|
25
|
24
|
|
Punjab
|
34
|
30
|
28
|
26
|
|
Tamil Nadu
|
24
|
22
|
21
|
21
|
|
West Bengal
|
31
|
32
|
32
|
31
|
|
A and N Islands
|
25
|
23
|
24
|
24
|
|
Chandigarh
|
22
|
20
|
20
|
21
|
|
D and Nagar Haveli
|
38
|
35
|
33
|
31
|
|
Daman and Diu
|
23
|
22
|
22
|
20
|
|
Delhi
|
30
|
28
|
25
|
24
|
|
Lakshadweep
|
25
|
24
|
24
|
24
|
|
Pondicherry
|
22
|
19
|
17
|
17
|
The Government of India under National Health
Mission has taken several steps in all the states and UTs to further reduce
infant mortality rate. Some of the key steps are as under:
1. Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram (JSSK): entitles
all pregnant women delivering in public health institutions to absolutely free
and no expense delivery including Caesarean section. The initiative
stipulates free drugs, diagnostics, blood and diet, besides free transport from
home to institution, between facilities in case of a referral and drop back
home. Similar entitlements have been put in place for all sick infants
accessing public health institutions for treatment till one year of age.
2. Emphasis on facility based newborn care at
different levels to reduce child morbidity and mortality: Setting up of
facilities for care of sick newborn such as Special New Born Care Units
(SNCUs), Newborn Stabilization Units (NBSUs) and Newborn Care Corners (NBCCs)
at different levels is a thrust area under NHM.
3. Capacity building of health care providers: Various
trainings are being conducted under NHM to train doctors, nurses and ANMs for
essential newborn care, early diagnosis and case management of common ailments
of children. These trainings are on Navjaat Shishu, Suraksha Karyakram (NSSK),
Integrated Management of Neonatal and Childhood Illnesses (IMNCI), Facility
Based Newborn Care (FBNC), Infant and Young Child Feeding practices (IYCF) etc.
4. India Newborn Action Plan (INAP) has been launched
with an aim to reduce neonatal mortality and stillbirths.
5. Newer interventions to reduce newborn mortality-
Vitamin K injection at birth, Antenatal corticosteroids for preterm labour,
kangaroo mother care and injection gentamicin to young infants in cases of
suspected sepsis.
6. Home Based New Born Care (HBNC): Home based newborn
care through ASHAs has been initiated to improve new born practices at the
community level and early detection and referral of sick new born babies.
7. Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight (IDCF) to
be observed in July-August 2015 focusing on ORS and Zinc distribution for
management of diarrhoea and feeding practices.
8. Integrated Action Plan for Pneumonia and Diarrhoea
(IAPPD) launched in four states with highest infant mortality (UP, MP, Bihar
and Rajasthan).
9. Management of Malnutrition: Nutritional
Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs) have been established for management of severe
acute malnutrition in children.
10. Appropriate
Infant and Young Child Feeding practices are being promoted in convergence with
Ministry of Woman and Child Development.
11. Village Health
and Nutrition Days (VHNDs) are organized for imparting nutritional counselling
to mothers and to improve child care practices.
12. Universal
Immunization Programme (UIP): Vaccination protects children against many life
threatening diseases such as Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio,
Tetanus, Hepatitis B and Measles. Infants are thus immunized against seven
vaccine preventable diseases every year. The Government of India supports the
vaccine programme by supply of vaccines and syringes, cold chain equipment and
provision of operational costs.
13. Mission
Indradhanush has been launched in 201 high focus districts to fully immunise
more than 43 lakh children who are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated;
those that have not been covered during the rounds of routine immunisation for
various reasons. They will be fully immunised against seven life-threatening
but vaccine preventable diseases which include diphtheria, whooping cough,
tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis.
14. In addition,
vaccination against Japanese Encephalitis and Haemophilus influenza type B will
be provided in selected districts/states of the country. Pregnant women will
also be immunised against tetanus.
15. Mother and
Child Tracking System (MCTS): A name based Mother and Child Tracking System has
been put in place which is web based to ensure registration and tracking of all
pregnant women and new born babies so that provision of regular and complete
services to them can be ensured.
16. Rashtriya Bal
Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) for health screening and early intervention services
has been launched to provide comprehensive care to all the children in the age
group of 0-18 years in the community. The purpose of these services is to
improve the overall quality of life of children through early detection of
birth defects, diseases, deficiencies, development delays including disability.
17. Under National
Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI), through life cycle approach, age and dose specific
IFA supplementation programme is being implemented for the prevention of
anaemia among the vulnerable age groups like under-5 children, children of 6 –
10 years of age group, adolescents, pregnant & lactating women and women in
reproductive age along with treatment of anaemic children and pregnant mothers
at health facilities.
The MoS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,
Shri Shripad Yesso Naik stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here
today.
******
Measures to Contain Deaths from Antibiotic Resistance
Based on the information
received from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Centre
for Disease Control (NCDC), the Government is not aware about WHO’s report that
anti-biotic resistance may cause rise in death of Indians to 20 lakhs per year
by 2050. Data on deaths due to antibiotic resistance is not being collected at
present by the Government.
In order to
strengthen the surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the
country, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has set up a National
Anti-Microbial Resistance Research and Surveillance Network (AMRRSN) to enable
compilation of National Data of AMR at different levels of Health Care.
The Drugs and
Cosmetic Rule, 1945 were amended in 2013 to incorporate a new Schedule H1 under
the said rules containing 46 drugs which include III and IV generation
antibiotics, anti TB drugs and certain habit forming drugs for
having strict control over the sale
of these drugs. The drugs falling under Schedule H1 are required to
be sold in the country with the following conditions:
(1) The supply of a drug specified in Schedule H1 shall
be recorded in a separate register at the time of the supply giving the name
and address of the prescriber, the name of the patient, the name of the drug
and the quantity supplied and such records shall be maintained for three years
and be open for inspection.
(2) The drug specified in Schedule H1 shall be labeled
with the symbol Rx which shall be in red and conspicuously displayed on the
left top corner of the label, and shall also be labeled with the following
words in a box with a red border:
|
“Schedule H1
Drug-Warning:
-It is dangerous to take
this preparation except in accordance with the medical advice.
-Not to be sold by retail
without the prescription of a Registered Medical Practitioner.”
|
Further, Government of
India has formulated a National policy for containment of antimicrobial
resistance in 2011. A National Programme for Containment of AMR has also been
initiated in 12th Five Year Plan with the following objectives.
§ To establish a laboratory based surveillance system
by strengthening laboratories for AMR in the country and to generate quality
data on antimicrobial resistance for pathogens of public health importance.
§ To generate awareness among healthcare providers
and in the community regarding rational use of antibiotics.
§ To strengthen infection control guidelines and
practices and promote rational use of antibiotics.
The MoS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Shri Shripad Yesso Naik
stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha here today.
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