NADDA 2LAST

Noting that "persistent and intensive" focus on maternal Noting that "persistent and intensive" focus on maternaland child health has yielded dividends, Nadda said thatbesides sustaining the country’s polio-free status, India hassuccessfully validated Maternal and Neonatal tetanuselimination in May 2015, well before the global target. "What is noteworthy is that India’s Under-5 MortalityRate and Maternal Mortality Ratio declined at a higher pacethan global average," he said. The Health Minister said that initiatives like free drugsservices, free diagnostics services, strengthening districthospital, roll out of comprehensive primary health care,quality assurance programme and the Kayakalp awards are allintended to reduce fragmentation of care, improve quality ofcare and reduce out of pocket expenses. Nadda also released operational framework on managementof common cancers, guidance note for outsourced call centrefor tele-consultation, grievance redressal and providinginformation about schemes. On the basis of health indicators and service delivery,the best performing large states for decline in IMR was givento Haryana and West Bengal while Nagaland and Tripura weregiven the award in the small state category. For service delivery in public health facilities, TamilNadu and Andhra Pradesh were awarded amongst large states andSikkim and Himachal Pradesh were awarded amongst small states.Best performing Union Territory was Dadar and Nagar Haveli. Minister of State for Health Faggan Singh Kulaste saidthat this summit is a good platform to share experiences andcollectively strategise on how to improve health services inthe country. Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Kamineni Srinivashighlighted various steps taken for pregnant women, reducingInfant Mortality Rate, Maternal Mortality Rate and reducingout-of-pocket expenditure for the patients while appreciatingthe Centre’s help for free drugs and diagnostics for the poorand telemedicine schemes. PTI TDS IKAIKA