Health Policy of Chhattisgarh | Chhattisgarh State PSC (CGPSC) Preparation: All subjects - CGPSC (Chhattisgarh) PDF Download

The Chhattisgarh State Integrated Health and Population Policy 2006

• The Chhattisgarh State Integrated Health and Population Policy 2006 underscores the State's dedication to advancing healthcare accessibility for all residents, particularly those in remote regions.
• Its primary objective is to foster sustainable human development by guaranteeing every individual has sufficient access to basic necessities, lessening socioeconomic gaps, enhancing quality of life, and maintaining population stability.
• Prioritizing the rights of marginalized and disadvantaged communities is a key focus, aiming to eradicate discrimination and support people in contributing effectively to national progress and societal transformation.
• Empowering women and promoting gender equality stand out as fundamental pillars of this policy.
• To align with the National Population Policy 2000 and National Health Policy 2002, the Chhattisgarh Integrated Health and Population Policy adopts a holistic approach to population control and enhancing reproductive and child health services, with a specific emphasis on decentralized governance.
• The Policy commits to fortifying Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and enhancing their capacities to fulfill this role effectively.

Health Policy Emphasis on Social Determinants and Equity

• The Chhattisgarh State Integrated Health and Population Policy recognizes the critical influence of socio-economic factors on health outcomes.
• It advocates for a comprehensive healthcare model that integrates social determinant concerns with strategies to boost healthcare services, with a major objective of achieving health equity to foster a fairer society.

National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) 2005

• The NRHM, with its core objective of promoting equity, efficiency, quality, and accountability in public health services through community-driven methods, decentralization, and enhanced local governance, reinstates the principle of Health for All and comprehensive primary healthcare.
• It serves as a platform to facilitate necessary inter-sectoral collaboration crucial for addressing social determinants and enhancing healthcare services in an integrated manner.

Vision

• The Chhattisgarh Government is dedicated to attaining the highest possible levels of physical, mental, and social health by empowering local communities with affordable and equitable healthcare services. The aim is to diminish poverty in the state. Central to this vision is ensuring universal access to comprehensive primary healthcare, as outlined in the State's Vision 2020.
• The state is committed to addressing the health needs of its people based on principles of transparency, accountability, and community involvement. Collaboration with stakeholders from public, private, and non-government sectors is crucial to fostering a society where individuals lead healthy, productive lives while fulfilling their social obligations and contributing to national progress.
• Efforts towards population stabilization involve a holistic approach, emphasizing informed decision-making, empowering women and communities, and focusing on reproductive and child health issues, especially among marginalized populations in remote areas.

Goals & Objectives

The policy aims to achieve the following:

• To ensure that everyone has access to comprehensive primary health care.
• To guarantee fairness in the provision of high-quality health care services.
• To ensure that there is enough health infrastructure and systems in place, alongside developing healthcare human resources.
• To work towards population stabilization through the effective implementation of quality reproductive health care, which includes family planning and other relevant social development measures through an intersectoral approach.

Strategic Directions

In order to meet its objectives, the policy has outlined specific strategic action points:

• Decentralized Planning and Implementation: The policy recommends delegating control of all health facilities and staff to Panchayati Raj Institutions within their respective areas, with an emphasis on ensuring women's participation in decision-making processes.
• Community Participation: The policy suggests promoting the involvement of Village Health Committees, self-help groups, and youth clubs in identifying issues, as well as in planning, implementing, and monitoring healthcare programs.
• Comprehensive Primary Health Care: The policy proposes ensuring access to both preventive and curative healthcare services through a trained health volunteer in every habitation, along with access to hospitals within a two-hour reach.
• Equity in Health Care: This strategy focuses on achieving gender equity and providing the highest quality reproductive health care as part of a life-cycle approach. It also encourages active partnerships with NGOs to reach underserved populations.
• Improved Quality and Standards of Care: The policy proposes developing standards for various levels of healthcare in consultation with health professionals, with periodic upgrades to ensure positive health outcomes and patient satisfaction. Appropriate legislation would be enacted to make these standards into enforceable health rights.
• Behaviour Change Communication (BCC): The policy suggests implementing locally relevant BCC programs to promote societal change regarding health-related behavioral norms.
• Inter-Sectoral Coordination: To address the social determinants of health, the policy highlights priority areas such as nutrition, water, sanitation, and poverty alleviation programs.

Strategy (priority areas)

• Nutrition: Energizing ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme), mid-day meal programs, and nutritional education initiatives.
• Social Security for Health: Encompassing compulsory social insurance and health guarantee schemes catering to primary and secondary healthcare needs.
• Mainstreaming Gender and Women’s Empowerment: Enhancing women's access to resources, amplifying their decision-making roles, and collaborating with State Commissions for Women to protect their civil rights.
• Tribal Health: Implementing programs that respect tribal cultures and health practices while safeguarding their livelihoods and access to natural resources, considering over 30% of the population belongs to tribal communities.
• Involvement of Private Sector and Civil Society: Promoting public-private partnerships (PPP) across various healthcare services to improve access for medically underserved and vulnerable groups.

Health Care Vision 2022 of Chhattisgarh State

• Factors Affecting Health: The health of Chhattisgarh's population is influenced by various factors like employment, income, education, and prevalence of diseases.
• Health Statistics: Chhattisgarh faces high death and birth rates compared to other states.
• Prevalent Diseases: Common health issues in Chhattisgarh include anemia, sickle cell disease, malaria, and typhoid.
• Root Causes of Health Problems: Issues stem from environmental degradation, inadequate healthcare facilities, low literacy, poor nutrition, and limited job opportunities.
• Healthcare Infrastructure: Limited primary health centers and community health centers pose a challenge in providing healthcare access.
• Action Plan: To achieve a healthier population, the focus should be on improving access to affordable healthcare services as a whole.
• Strategies for Improvement:
  • Enhanced Public Health Education: Utilize various media channels for health education.
  • Accessible Primary Healthcare: Equip each village with a full-fledged primary healthcare center.
  • Affordable Medicines: Ensure availability of quality, cost-effective medicines.
  • Universal Health Insurance: Implement a public health insurance scheme for all citizens.
  • Medical Staff Training: Develop programs to train medical professionals for rural areas.
  • Medical Institutes Expansion: Establish more medical institutions to address the shortage of doctors.
  • Specialty Clinics: Set up multi-specialty clinics in each district to cater to specific healthcare needs.
  • Telemedicine Services: Utilize technology for remote healthcare services.
  • Disease Control Measures: Implement preemptive measures for disease control and epidemics.

Chhattisgarh State Specific Schemes

Baal Hriday Suraksha Yojana

• Initiated on July 15, 2008, the Baal Hriday Suraksha Yojana is a scheme aimed at providing financial assistance to children suffering from heart ailments.
• The scheme involves several institutions such as Apollo S.R. Hospital in Bhilai, Ram Krishna Care Hospital in Raipur, Escort Heart Centre in Raipur, and Apollo Hospital in Bilaspur.

Chhattisgarh Rural Medical Course (CRMC)

• Chhattisgarh, known for its high forest cover, has many conflict-affected and underserved areas where there is a significant shortage of doctors and other medical staff.
• The primary strategy currently aiding outreach in these regions is the operation of 74 Mobile Medical Units (MMUs).
• A package for medically underserved areas, offering special incentives and promotional support for doctors, has been drafted, with a pilot proposal submitted for approval as part of the current PIP. This package includes a health department colony based at block headquarters, transport facilities to peripheral areas, insurance schemes, and family support for education.
• A special strategy is also planned for conflict-affected areas, particularly in districts like Dantewada, which are facing such challenges.
• The state is also planning to deploy diploma holders in modern and holistic medicine, trained through a 3-year medical course, to rural Primary Health Centers (PHCs) this year.

Prerana Scheme

• Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh (National Population Stabilization Fund), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, introduced PRERNA in 2008 across seven focus states.
• PRERNA aims to commend and support couples who challenge traditional norms by delaying early marriage and childbirth, contributing to a shift in societal perspectives.
• Eligibility criteria include the woman being married after the age of 19 and having the first child at least two years after marriage.
• Couples fulfilling the criteria receive a reward of Rs. 10,000/- for a boy child or Rs. 12,000/- for a girl child.
• Additional incentives of Rs. 5,000/- for a boy child and Rs. 7,000/- for a girl child are provided if the second child is born at least three years after the first child, and if either parent opts for a permanent family planning method within a year of the second child's birth.
• The scheme is specifically designed for families falling under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category.