What is National Health Policy?
Historical Background
Key Points
12 points- 1.
National Health Policy 2017 (NHP 2017) is the current guiding framework.
- 2.
Aims to achieve the highest possible level of health and well-being for all at all ages, through a preventive and promotive healthcare orientation.
- 3.
Commits to increasing public health expenditure to 2.5% of GDP by 2025 (from approximately 1.15% at the time of policy formulation).
- 4.
Emphasizes strengthening primary healthcare as the foundation of the health system, including Health & Wellness Centers.
- 5.
Focuses on addressing the growing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), mental health issues, and injuries.
- 6.
Promotes digital health initiatives, including the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, for efficient healthcare delivery and data management.
- 7.
Ensures availability of essential drugs and medical devices at affordable prices.
- 8.
Advocates for regulating the private healthcare sector to ensure quality and ethical practices.
- 9.
Sets specific quantitative targets for various health indicators, such as Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), and NCD mortality.
- 10.
Promotes medical pluralism by integrating AYUSH systems into mainstream healthcare.
- 11.
Stresses on health equity, aiming to reduce disparities across socio-economic groups and geographical regions.
- 12.
Calls for a multi-sectoral approach to address social determinants of health.
Visual Insights
Evolution of National Health Policies in India
Timeline of key National Health Policies in India and their focus areas.
India's National Health Policies have evolved over time to address changing health challenges and priorities.
- 1983National Health Policy 1983: Focus on expanding primary healthcare and controlling communicable diseases
- 2002National Health Policy 2002: Emphasis on decentralization, public-private partnerships, and improving quality
- 2017National Health Policy 2017: Aims to achieve universal health coverage and address NCDs
- 2025Target to increase public health expenditure to 2.5% of GDP
- 2026Ongoing focus on strengthening digital health infrastructure
Recent Developments
6 developmentsImplementation of Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY and Health & Wellness Centers) as a major step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage, aligned with NHP 2017 goals.
Accelerated focus on digital health initiatives, including the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, to create a national digital health ecosystem.
The COVID-19 pandemic led to a re-evaluation of health priorities, highlighting the need for robust public health infrastructure and increased spending, aligning with NHP targets.
Growing recognition of obesity as a chronic disease requiring comprehensive policy attention, which aligns with NHP's focus on NCDs and preventive health.
Ongoing debates and efforts to increase public health spending to meet the 2.5% of GDP target set by NHP 2017.
Emphasis on strengthening health research and innovation to address emerging health challenges and develop new treatments.