*January 13, 2011* At the three-day meeting in Hyderabad held between 11th and 13th January 2011, under the chairmanship of the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ministers of Health and Medical Education from 16 states and Principal Secretaries / Secretaries and Directors of Health and Medical Education from 28 States/Union Territories and senior officials of the Central Ministry of Health and Family Welfare discussed issues related to Communicable and Non Communicable Diseases, Maternal Health, Child Health, reforms in Medical Education and Regulatory Issues.
After detailed review of the ongoing National Programmes and threadbare discussions on the newly initiated programmes, with a view to strengthening the health programme, the meeting unanimously resolved as under: *I. Communicable diseases* *Vector Borne Diseases* Early diagnosis and complete treatment of Malaria will be ensured. Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) have been very successful in Orissa and the North-Eastern States in reducing the mortality from Malaria, and therefore the same will be scaled up. Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) and Artemisinin based Combination Therapy (ACTs) will be expanded to cover more areas. A massive awareness programme/campaign/ jagran yatra will be launched for spreading general awareness about hygiene and sanitation before the onset of monsoon. Zilla Parishads, particularly standing committee Chair persons of Education, Public health and Sanitation will be involved in prevention and control measures against vector borne diseases under the National Rural Health Mission. Untied funds provided under NRHM for Village Health and Sanitation Committees, PHCs, CHCs and District Hospitals will henceforth be utilized for prevention measures against mosquitogenic conditions in their respective jurisdictions. In urban areas, Corporations/Municipalities will be made stakeholders in this campaign. Immediate steps to be initiated for covering overhead water tanks in public and private buildings before the onset of monsoon every year. In view of spread of Malaria to low endemic and newer areas, strict fever surveillance will be maintained and peripheral workers will be trained in the diagnosis and management of malaria in a time bound manner. R&D efforts will be strengthened to address issues like resistance to insecticides and drugs. *Tuberculosis* Concerted efforts will be made to improve case detection rate in 100 identified districts where case detection is less than 50% to raise it to 70% by 2012. Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is emerging as a major public health problem in the county and shall be urgently addressed. * II. Reproductive and Child Health* 1. To bring down maternal and child mortality, it was resolved that the following actions will be taken in a comprehensive manner: § Ensure minimum one doctor and one nurse at each PHC as a mandatory requirement by 31st March 2012. § Full antenatal care of the pregnant mothers to be ensured § Universalisation of name based mother and child tracking system shall be ensured to facilitate full ANC, safe delivery, post natal care and immunization of children. § Blood banks at all district hospitals and blood storage facilities at sub-divisional hospitals and CHCs shall be set up by December 2012. § Free delivery services to pregnant women in Government health facilities, so that they do not incur any out of pocket expenses § Malnutrition and maternal anemia will be addressed on priority. § Institutional delivery to be facilitated by ensuring referral transport and close follow-up § Infrastructure facility including labour room and operation theatre, manpower, drugs, equipment etc., at all health centres to be improved § Facilities for new born care to be set up at all health centres 2. In remote areas of designated hill states, desert areas and tribal pockets, birth waiting homes will be set up so that pregnant mothers and attendants can come in advance and stay for delivery. 3. Minimum 70% of funds meant for infrastructure shall henceforth be spent on sub-health centres and Primary Health Centres. 4. Districts with poor health indicators and high disease burden shall be identified for special focus and higher level of interventions. 5. Multi-skilling of doctors be taken up to overcome shortage of specialists like gynecologists, anaesthetists, etc., *III. Non Communicable Diseases* *Cancer, Cardio-Vascular Diseases Stroke & Diabetes/Care of the Elderly* · For immediate and effective implementation of the newly initiated ‘Integrated National Programme for the Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardio-Vascular Diseases & Stroke [NPCDCS] & the National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly [NPHCE]’ launched in 100 districts spread over 21 states, the meeting of concerned district officials will be called by the concerned state health ministers at the earliest. · All individuals over 30 years of age and pregnant women of all age groups shall be screened for diabetes & hypertension and other NCDs. Name based data will be generated to facilitate analysis of the causes of death, district & block wise, around the country. · The threat of Non-Communicable Diseases, which account for 42% of all deaths in the country, shall be clearly recognized, while planning for investment in the 12th Plan. · Mental illness, the illnesses of the elderly and diseases caused by the use of tobacco shall be recognized as Non Communicable Diseases. · Government will launch a national programme for the eradication of Thalassemia. · Recognizing the fact that according to latest Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) 26% of all adults use smokeless forms of tobacco (gutkha, khaini, etc.) all State Governments resolved to chalk out a plan for an awareness/education campaign aimed at that segment of the population which is most vulnerable. · In view of increased incidence of cases of illness/neglect of elderly persons, especially in towns and cities, State Governments / Municipal Corporations shall be requested to allot land for construction of Geriatric Homes/Hospital for Elderly. *National Mental Health* · The states to send proposals to the Government of India for starting new departments of psychiatric medicine, psychiatric nursing, clinical psychology and psychiatric social work, in Medical Colleges. · Work on all 11 centres of excellence (including the two where the State Government’s commitment has not been received) to be expedited on war footing. · Steps will also be taken to complete the modernization of mental hospitals & psychiatry wings of general hospitals where funds have been released by GOI. · The remaining 450 + districts would be covered under DMHP in the 12th Plan. The DMHP would be revamped based on the experience of implementation gained in the 11th Plan. *National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB)* · State should utilize the funding provided by Government of India to set up dedicated Eye wards, Eye operation theatres, Eye banks to improve infrastructure and to train Ophthalmic Surgeons and Assistants. · All States shall initiate urgent action to implement the new initiatives launched in the 11th Plan which include Diabetic Retinopathy, Glaucoma, Trachoma, Vitreoretinal surgery, Childhood blindness, etc., · States will also avail of Central funding for strengthening of Medical Colleges and Regional Institutes of Ophthalmology. *IV. Human Resources in Health* · State Governments shall / will take immediate steps to increase intake capacity at MBBS level up to 250 in all the Government Colleges across the country. · State Governments will make full use of the GoI scheme for strengthening and up-gradation of Government Medical colleges for increasing PG seats /starting PG courses. · 150 ANM/GNM schools sanctioned by GoI across the country shall be made operational by March, 2012. · State Governments will take all steps to ensure early establishment of the eight Regional Institutes of Paramedical Sciences financed by GoI by end of 2010. · State Governments may make full use of the Central scheme for Strengthening of Pharmacy Institutions and training of practicing pharmacists which is shortly to be announced. · The introduction of the Bachelor of Rural Health Care Courses was endorsed in the meeting unanimously. · Central Government to consider for inclusion in the 12th Plan a major programme to support High Focus States to set up / expand Medical Colleges. The meeting further resolved that the GOI should consider the following; i. Assist in setting up new Medical Colleges in the un-served / under-served areas ii. Financial assistance to State Government colleges for strengthening & up-gradation to increase intake at UG/PG level. iii. Financial support to States to start a minimum of 50 Medical schools for the BRHC course in the high focus states for the year 2011-12. iv. Financial assistance to State Government to establish a college for Nursing, college for Paramedics, college of Pharmacy. v. The proposed scheme of common eligibility and entrance test (CEET) was discussed in detail and it was unanimously decided that the matter would be discussed further to take on board the views and concerns of the states. *Regulatory Issues* · It was resolved that the Central and State Governments will draw up a time bound action plan for creation of new posts and filling up vacant posts mainly of Drug Inspectors and also for upgradation of Drug Testing Laboratories. · The issue of spurious / sub standard drugs also came up for discussion. It was agreed that both Central and State Drug Control Organisations will launch an effective campaign and take steps for enforcement of provisions of drugs and cosmetics Act relating to spurious drugs. The states will designate special courts for speedy trial of drug related offences. · It was also resolved that Central and State Governments will draw up a time bound action plan to promote use of generic drugs so as to provide affordable health care for all. · The states agreed to set up Jan Aushadhi Stores in all their districts in a time bound phased manner. · For effective implementation of the provisions of Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 it was decided to launch a reward scheme for whistle blowers for information on cases of food adulteration. · States were sensitized about the importance and the objectives of the Clinical Establishments (Registration & Regulation) Act, 2010 and were requested to adopt this law in their respective states as early as possible by passing the enabling laws in their respective State Assemblies. http://www.pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=69052 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. 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