Page 63 - 15MAR2020E

health

ic obstructive pulmonary disease, TB etc.
are common among older patients.
Recognizing the need for specialized
accessible health care for the elderly, the
Government of India has launched vari-
ous programmes, including the National
Programme for Health Care of Elderly
(NPHCE) and Integrated Programme for
Older Persons such as Ayushman Bharat.
These programmes aim to provide health
care facilities to senior citizens (aged 60
years and above) at primary, secondary
and tertiary health care delivery system
and to further increase the average life
expectancy of people. The government
has enacted ‘Maintenance and Welfare
of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007’.
The measures taken/proposed by the
Government of India is providing bet-
ter health services to ensure healthy life State/UTs in constructing new health fa-
and to further improve the average life cilities and/or for up-gradation of infra-
expectancy of the people in the country. There are 750,000 structure, Mother & Child Health (MCH)
wings, up-gradation of the trauma cen-
Actions at multiple levels doctors in India, which tres & First Referral Units, Operationali-
The Ayushman Bharat effort, with its amount to only one for zation of the blood banks etc.
two components of Health and Well- Operationalizing health facilities in
ness Centres (HWCs) and Pradhan every 1,425 people. rural areas (through placement of hu-
Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), Again, effective care man resources in difficult areas, supply
addresses disparity in access and of equipment, drugs and diagnostics).
reduces out of pocket expenditure for of patients becomes In addition, certain new initiatives
secondary and tertiary care hospitaliza- have been undertaken like the Screening
tion for 40% of India’s population. The almost impossible for Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs),
scheme provides hospital care for about without water, power Mothers Absolute Affection (to promote
1,350 illnesses at secondary and tertiary exclusive breastfeeding), Pradhan Man-
level empanelled public and private hos- and proper facilities tri Shurakshit Matratva Abhiyan (to
pitals. HWC encourages healthy choices improve access to specialist maternal
and behaviours including Yoga and other care through voluntary participation of
physical activities. private providers), Pradhan Mantri Na-
National Health Mission (NHM) is Continuum of care is being provided tional Dialysis Program, Mission Indrad-
creating a network of 1,50,000 HWCs to all elderly citizen of age above 60 years hanush (to immunise partially or uncov-
by upgrading existing Sub Centres (SCs) from preventive and promotive up to re- ered population), Rashtriya Swasthya
and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to habilitation in Geriatric units of District Bal Karyakram (RBSK), Kayakalp (to pro-
provide Comprehensive Primary Health Hospital, Community Health Centres and mote cleanliness, hygiene and Infection
Care (CPHC), which is universal and free Primary Health Centres under National Control Practices in public Health Care
to all those who access public health fa- programme for Healthcare of Elderly Facilities), Labour room quality improve-
cilities. The CPHC basket of services cov- (NPHCE). ment initiative- LAQSHYA (Initiative to
er 12 key service areas, which go beyond Palliative care is being provided reduce preventable maternal and new-
the Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, to terminal cases of Cancer, AIDS etc. born mortality, morbidity and stillbirths
Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) under National programme for Palliative associated with the care around deliv-
services to include screening and care Care (NPPC). ery in Labour room and Maternity OT
for NCDs (diabetes, high blood pressure, Providing financial support in the and ensure respectful maternity care),
oral, breast, cervical cancers etc.), elderly form of untied funds, annual mainte- Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN)
care, palliative and rehabilitative care, nance grants and Rogi Kalyan Samiti (to end all preventable maternal and ne-
Oral, Eye and ENT care, mental health (RKS) funds for development of health onatal deaths) etc.
and first level care for emergencies and facilities and ensuring services.
trauma etc. Providing infrastructural support to letters@tehelka.com

63