The National Health Policy 2017 is a comprehensive framework designed to guide India’s healthcare system toward achieving universal health coverage and improved health outcomes. Its significance lies in prioritizing preventive and promotive healthcare, ensuring equitable access to quality services, and addressing the needs of vulnerable populations. This article aims to study in detail the objectives, key features, and implementation strategies of the National Health Policy 2017.
About National Health Policy 2017
- Health is a critical component of national development and human well-being.
- The National Health Policy (NHP) serves as a roadmap for achieving the health-related goals of the nation.
- Since its inception in 1983, the NHP has undergone revisions to address the evolving healthcare needs of the population.
- The latest iteration, the National Health Policy 2017, reflects India’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Background of National Health Policy
- National Health Policy 1983: Focused on providing primary healthcare to all.
- It stressed rural healthcare infrastructure development.
- It emphasized the control of communicable diseases and maternal and child health.
- National Health Policy 2002: Aimed to enhance access to affordable and quality healthcare services.
- It highlighted the importance of private sector involvement.
- It introduced targets for reducing infant mortality and fertility rates.
- National Health Policy 2017: A comprehensive framework to meet current and future healthcare challenges.
- It focused on preventive and promotive health, equity, and quality care.
Vision of National Health Policy 2017
- The vision of NHP 2017 is to achieve the highest possible level of health and well-being for all age groups through a preventive and promotive health orientation and universal access to quality healthcare services.
- It emphasizes reducing health inequities, strengthening healthcare infrastructure, and ensuring financial protection for all, particularly the underserved and vulnerable populations.
Key Objectives of National Health Policy 2017
- Universal Health Coverage (UHC): It provides affordable, accessible, and equitable healthcare for all.
- Reduction of Disease Burden: It targets communicable, non-communicable, and emerging diseases.
- Strengthening Healthcare Infrastructure: It expands healthcare facilities with a focus on rural and underserved areas.
- Community Participation: It promotes health literacy and active community engagement in healthcare delivery.
- Health Financing: It increases public health expenditure to 2.5% of GDP by 2025.
- Strengthening Human Resources: It trains healthcare professionals and increase the doctor-patient ratio.
Key Features of National Health Policy 2017
- Primary Healthcare: Establish Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) to deliver comprehensive primary care.
- Emphasize preventive healthcare measures, including immunization and screening.
- Public Health Expenditure: Increase government health spending to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for citizens.
- Provide free essential drugs and diagnostics at public facilities.
- Integration of AYUSH: Promote the integration of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy into mainstream healthcare.
- Leverage traditional medicine to complement modern healthcare.
- Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Focus on prevention and early detection of NCDs like diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.
- Implement national programs for mental health and palliative care.
- Digital Health: Encourage the use of technology for telemedicine and electronic health records.
- Promote e-governance for better management of healthcare systems.
- Health Equity: Address the healthcare needs of marginalized and vulnerable populations.
- Reduce disparities in health outcomes between rural and urban areas.
- Health Workforce Development: Focus on skill development and capacity building of healthcare workers.
- Introduce innovative training programs to address shortages.
Challenges in Implementing NHP 2017
- Low Public Health Expenditure: Despite the target, health spending remains below 2% of GDP, hindering infrastructure development.
- Human Resource Shortages: India faces a shortfall of doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals, especially in rural areas.
- Urban-Rural Disparity: Healthcare infrastructure and services are concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural populations underserved.
- High Out-of-Pocket Expenditure: A significant portion of healthcare costs is still borne by individuals, pushing many into poverty.
- Fragmented Health Systems: Lack of coordination between public and private sectors affects service delivery.
- Disease Burden: Rising cases of NCDs and emerging infectious diseases pose significant challenges.
Major Government Initiatives Aligned with NHP 2017
Ayushman Bharat
- It launched in 2018 to achieve Universal Health Coverage.
- It includes Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) for secondary and tertiary care and Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) for primary care.
National Digital Health Mission (NDHM)
- It aims to create a digital health ecosystem with unique health IDs for citizens.
Jan Aushadhi Scheme
- It provides affordable generic medicines through Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendras.
Mission Indradhanush
- It enhances immunization coverage for children and pregnant women.
National Program for Prevention and Control of NCDs
- It targets lifestyle diseases through awareness, screening, and treatment.
Achievements of National Health Policy 2017
- Establishment of over 1.5 lakh Health and Wellness Centers.
- Increased immunization coverage through Mission Indradhanush.
- Enhanced access to affordable medicines under Jan Aushadhi Scheme.
- Greater adoption of digital health solutions.
Way Forward
- Strengthening Infrastructure: Expand healthcare facilities and improve resource allocation.
- Focus on Preventive Health: Promote awareness and healthy lifestyle practices to reduce disease burden.
- Human Resource Development: Address workforce shortages through training and recruitment.
- Increased Health Financing: Achieve the target of 2.5% GDP for public health expenditure.
- Public-Private Partnerships: Leverage private sector expertise for improving healthcare delivery.
- Equitable Healthcare Access: Focus on marginalized and underserved populations to reduce disparities.
Conclusion
The National Health Policy 2017 is a visionary framework for transforming India’s healthcare system. By focusing on Universal Health Coverage, preventive health, and equitable access, it aims to ensure that every citizen can lead a healthy and productive life. The successful implementation of NHP requires sustained commitment, innovative strategies, and active participation from all stakeholders.
FAQs
What is national health policy?
The National Health Policy (NHP) is a framework by the Indian government to guide healthcare development and address public health challenges. The latest NHP 2017 aims to achieve universal health coverage, improve access, affordability, and quality of healthcare services, and focuses on preventive care, reducing health disparities, and strengthening healthcare infrastructure.
What is the aim of the national health policy of India?
The aim of India’s National Health Policy 2017 is to achieve universal health coverage by ensuring affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare services for all. It focuses on preventive care, reducing health inequalities, improving health infrastructure, promoting public-private partnerships, and enhancing financial protection against healthcare costs, especially for vulnerable populations.
What is India’s national policy for health?
India’s National Health Policy 2017 focuses on achieving universal health coverage by ensuring equitable, affordable, and quality healthcare for all. It emphasizes preventive care, reducing health inequalities, and strengthening public health systems. Key priorities include maternal and child health, tackling non-communicable diseases, improving infrastructure, and increasing public health expenditure.
What are the components of national health policy?
The National Health Policy 2017 includes components like:
– Universal Health Coverage: Ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare.
– Preventive Care: Emphasis on public health and awareness.
– Strengthening Infrastructure: Upgrading facilities and workforce.
– Financial Protection: Reducing out-of-pocket expenses.
– Public-Private Partnerships: Enhancing healthcare delivery through collaboration.
– Digital Health: Promoting e-health and telemedicine services.
What are the objectives of NHP 1983?
The National Health Policy (NHP) 1983 aimed to achieve “Health for All by 2000.” Its objectives included strengthening primary healthcare, reducing infant and maternal mortality rates, controlling communicable diseases, improving sanitation and nutrition, ensuring universal immunization, and promoting family planning to stabilize population growth. It emphasized rural healthcare services.
When was NHP launched?
India’s National Health Policy (NHP) was first launched in 1983 to guide the development of the healthcare sector and achieve “Health for All by 2000.” Subsequent versions were introduced in 2002 and 2017, with the latter focusing on universal health coverage, health equity, and addressing modern healthcare challenges.
What were the main objectives of NHP 2002?
The National Health Policy 2002 aimed to improve access to healthcare, achieve population stabilization, reduce infant and maternal mortality rates, and combat communicable and non-communicable diseases. It emphasized decentralization, public-private partnerships, increased public health funding, strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure, and promoting indigenous systems of medicine like Ayurveda and Yoga.
