Two years of NDA: Health minister launches e-book of achievements and initiatives

New Delhi: Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Monday unveiled an e-book on the achievements of his ministry, on the occasion of the completion of two years of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government. In this period, 1,100 MBBS seats have been added and 39 government colleges upgraded to tertiary care.

Between 2014 and 2015, coverage of children under immunisation increased by 5-7%, which was a one percentage point increase per year since 2009. A total of 17 million children were immunized in 2015 alone. In addition to regular vaccines, the ministry also distributed 49 lakh Vitamin A doses, 39 lakh oral rehydration salt (ORS) packets and 13 million zinc tablets under ministry’s initiative Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight.

The Rotavirus vaccine to fight diarrhoea was also added in the basket of vaccines earlier this year.

Under the National Health Mission (NHM), 4,917 new constructions have taken place which include primary health centres, community health centres and urban health centres. More than three thousand health facilities have been renovated.

In another move, mainstreaming of AYUSH doctors has been expedited. “Rural areas have utter lack of doctors, including a general physician. AYUSH doctors are trained in primary healthcare. They are being roped in to provide basic care and refer patients to district hospitals whenever needed,” said an official from the health ministry. In last two years 5443 AYUSH doctors have been engaged under the NHM. Total addition to human resources has been 8,205 which includes village health workers.

Nearly 18 million beneficiaries have been added to the Janani Suraksha Yojana.

Another notable initiative is opening of stores of Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT). They sell medicines at prices that are much lower than the market rate at 14 government hospitals. For example, cancer drugs are available at up to 90% discount. AMRIT stores offer 202 cancer drugs, 186 cardio-vascular drugs and 148 types of cardiac implants.

The e-book lists the digital initiatives of the ministry which include Mother and Child Tracking System to follow up on pre-natal and ante-natal care of pregnant women and new born children.