14 states penalized under NHM

Under National Health Mission (NHM) at least 14 states were penalized for not performing in various health parameters. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare runs the scheme in terms of “result based funding”. The penalized states will lose funds from Central Government.

Best and Worst Performers

According to the Health system Strengthening Conditionality Report of states 2018 – 19 report, Uttarkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, Nagar Haveli, Mizoram, J&K, Himachal Pradesh remained worst performers of the scheme. These worst performers will be cut 20% of their funds. The top performing states under the scheme were Punjab, Haryana, Kerala, Assam.

The states Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh could not meet the minimum criteria of full immunization of 75% and hence were not considered for assessment.

Under NHM, the funds were to be shared between the center and state governments. 80% of the funds to be contributed by the central government and 20% by the state governments.

Assessing Parameters

The States were assessed based on the following parameters

• Immunization status
• Health and Wellness Centers (HWC)
• Screening of 30 people around the HWC for non – communicable diseases
• Provisioning of mental health services at the district headquarters
• Performance of district hospitals
• Rating PHC – Primary Health Center.

The report was released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2019