Government of India provides free lifelong antiretrovirale (ARV) medicines for people living with HIV. Under its National AIDS Control Programme, presently 15.23 lakh (Approx.) people living with HIV are given ARV medicines through 687 ART centers and 1261 link ART centers irrespective of their income background. It includes free adherence counselling, diagnostic and monitoring services like baseline laboratory investigations, CD4 count testing, viral load testing, etc.
To de–stigmatize the myths revolving around the disease, NACO implements multimedia campaigns along with mass media supported by outdoor media such as hoardings, bus panels, information kiosks, folk performances and exhibition vans to create awareness on HIV/AIDS and promoting services/facilities across the country. At the inter-personal level, training and sensitization programmes for Self-Help Groups, Anganwadi workers, ASHA, members of Panchayati Raj Institutions and other key stakeholders are carried out to spread awareness about treatment and other facilities. This year’s World Aids Day, observed on 1st December, was observed widely with the theme Equalize.
The Adolescence Education Programme is implemented in more than 50,000 schools, providing 100% coverage to students of class 8th, 9th and 11th through co-curricular activities based on life skill education approach in senior and senior secondary schools. 32 States included the topic of HIV /AIDS in curricula of schools.
Red Ribbon Clubs are formed in colleges to encourage peer to peer messaging on HIV prevention and provide a safe space for young people to seek clarification to their doubts on myths surrounding HIV/AIDS.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
The Government has put in place a Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) for Pharmaceutical companies, which is in operation since 01.01.2015, to prevent unethical practices by the pharmaceutical companies. This code governs the conduct of pharmaceutical companies in their marketing practices, duly covering the various aspects such as medical representatives, textual and audio-visual promotional materials, samples, gifts, etc. Further, the code establishes relationship with healthcare professionals, wherein the provisions related to travel facilities, hospitality and cash or monetary grants to physicians or their families have been elaborated. The code also details the mode of operation of the code, responsibilities of the Pharmaceutical Associations in constituting the Ethics Committee for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (ECPMP) for handling the complaints and Apex Ethics Committee for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (AECPMP) for review, procedure of lodging a complaint, procedure of handling of complaints by the Pharmaceutical Associations and various penalty provisions.
The code has been adopted by the all the major associations of pharmaceutical companies and the Department on various instances has reviewed implementation of the code by the Pharmaceuticals associations. The complaints of violation of the voluntary UCPMP by pharma companies, as received by the Department, are forwarded to the concerned pharmaceutical associations for taking necessary action.
Besides UCPMP, there exists sufficient and enforceable legal regime to counter, control and dis-incentivize the unethical marketing practices such as “Indian Medical Council Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002” under the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956, provisions available under Income Tax Act, Drugs and Cosmetics Act, Prevention of Corruption Act, etc
As per information received from Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare that the manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs in the country are regulated under the provisions of Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules thereunder through a system of licensing and inspection. Licenses for manufacture, sale and distribution of drugs are granted by the State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) appointed by respective State Governments. Under the said Rules, Fixed Dose Combinations (FDC) is a New Drug. For the manufacture of any FDC falling under the definition of New Drug, permission is required from Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) before obtaining manufacturing license for the New Drug from the concerned State Licensing Authority. Under the aforesaid Act, manufacture/sale/distribution of any banned drug is a punishable offence. State Licensing Authorities are empowered to take action in this regard.
Some cases of grant of manufacturing license of new drugs including Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs) by some of the State Licensing Authorities (SLAs) without due approval of the Drugs Controller General (India) [DCG (I)] came to the notice of the Government. Apart from issuing repeated statutory directions under Section 33P of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940 to the State Governments not to issue such licenses to FDCs falling under definition of new Drugs without approval of DCG(I), the Central Government constituted an Expert Committee under the chairmanship of Prof C.K. Kokate to examine the safety and efficacy of such FDCs.
Based on the recommendations of the Prof. C. K. Kokate Expert Committee, the Central Government prohibited 344 FDCs vide notification dated 10.03.2016. Further, the Central Government also prohibited 5 FDCs vide notification dated 08.06.2017.
However, with respect to prohibition of the said 344 FDCs, several writ petitions were filed in different High Courts across the country challenging the ban of the FDCs. After that, the Hon’ble High Court of Delhi vide its order dated 01.12.2016 quashed the said notification. The Union of India challenged the said order of Hon’ble Delhi High Court before the Hon’ble Supreme Court by way of filing Special Leave Petition (SLP). Further, about 20 cases against 5 FDCs prohibited on 08.06.2017 which were pending before various High Courts across the country, were also transferred to Supreme Court. Hon’ble Supreme Court, vide its order dated 15.12.2017, directed that an analysis be made in greater depth and these cases of (344+5) FDCs should go to the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) and/or a Sub-Committee formed by the DTAB for the purpose of having a relook into these cases.
Accordingly, a Sub-Committee of DTAB was constituted which after providing hearing to all the petitioners/appellants, submitted its report to DTAB which was accepted by DTAB. Based on the recommendations of DTAB, the Central Government, vide notifications dated 07.09.2018, prohibited 328 FDCs for manufacture, sale or distribution. The Government also restricted 06 FDCs for manufacture, sale or distribution with certain conditions vide notifications issued on the same date. However, various firms/stakeholders have filed writ petitions in various High Courts across the country including the Hon’ble Supreme Court against the said notifications dated 07.09.2018.
Earlier, in 2007, CDSCO had received complaints from consumer association regarding rationality of certain Fixed Dose Combinations (FDC) marketed in the country. As follow up action, CDSCO prepared a list of 294 FDCs and communicated to State Drugs Controllers vide letter dated 14.08.2007. A writ petition was filed in the Hon’ble High Court of Madras and the Hon’ble Court granted stay order. However, DTAB in its meeting held on 16.1.2008 constituted a sub-committee to examine these FDCs. The recommendation of the subcommittee was referred to Hon’ble Supreme Court. The Hon’ble Supreme Court in its judgment, dated 15.12.2017, accepted the recommendations of DTAB and ordered for disposal of these petitions. Accordingly, Central Government vide notifications S.O. 180(E) to S.O.259 (E), dated 11.01.2019, prohibited 80 FDCs for manufacture, sale or distribution.
This information was given by Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Bhagwanth Khuba in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
To address the burden of mental disorders, the Government of India is supporting implementation of the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) under the National Mental Health Programme in 704 districts of the country for detection, management and treatment of mental disorders/ illness with the major components of counselling in schools and colleges, work place stress management, life skills training, suicide prevention services and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities for generation of awareness and removal of stigma associated with Mental Illness.
Under the aegis of the School Health Programme under Ayushman Bharat, NCERT has developed a comprehensive package titled “Training and Resource Material: Health and Wellness of School-going Children”. A specific module has been included on “Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health”, which has activities related to the mental health and well-being of students and teachers.
Modular Handbook on Early Identification and Intervention for Mental Health Problems in School Going Children has been developed in collaboration with Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) which contains guidelines for early identification, detection and intervention of mental health problems (stress/illness) in school- going children, for hands-on training of teachers, counsellors and other stakeholders. The Handbook was launched by Ministry of Education on 06th September, 2022.
The Ministry of Education has taken up a proactive initiative, named, ‘Manodarpan’, covering a wide range of activities to provide psychosocial support to students, teachers and families for Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing during the COVID outbreak and beyond. Under the Manodarpan initiative, a Web page (URL: http://manodarpan.education.gov.in) has been created carrying advisory guidelines, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), Practical tips, posters, videos, do’s and don’ts for students, teachers/faculty and families for psychosocial support have been uploaded on the Web-page. A National Toll-free Helpline (8448440632) for a country-wide outreach to students from schools, colleges and universities to provide them tele-counselling to address their mental health and psychosocial issues during and after the COVID-19 situation has been set up.
NCERT has started ‘NCERT Counselling Services for School Children’ in April, 2020 to help school students across the country share their concerns. This service is provided free of charge by about 270 counsellors across different regions of the country. Live interactive sessions on ‘SAHYOG: Guidance for Mental Wellbeing of Children’ are telecast on 12 PM eVidya DTH-TV channels for classes 1 to 12. To handle stress and anxiety, recorded videos on Yoga are telecast through 12 DTH TV channels with effect from 1st September, 2020 from Classes 1 to 12 and also digital resources are made available in digital platforms, i.e., DIKSHA.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) provides pre and post examination tele-counselling facilities through centralized toll-free helpline.
Government of India has launched the National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele MANAS) on 10th October 2022 to provide access to mental health care services to all through a centralized toll-free helpline (14416 or 1800-891-4416).
The Government vide Notification in the Official Gazette dated 04/12/2018 constituted the Central Mental Health Authority under the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017. After the expiry of its term, the Government vide Notification in the Official Gazette dated 11/11/2022 has nominated/appointed the non-official members of the CMHA. Till date four meetings of the Central Mental Health Authority have been held.
As per the information provided by the Ministry of Education, National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has developed textbooks in Psychology for Classes XI and XII that cover the aspects of stress, anxiety and other related problems in schools. The chapter 3 on 'Meeting life Challenges' of the class XII textbook in Psychology tries to equip the students with causes of stress and the development of positive health. Consequent upon announcement of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, preparation of a new National Curriculum Framework (NCF) has been taken up.
NCERT has been engaged in strengthening the capacity of teachers and counsellors to extend the support to the students for their emotional and mental well-being, help to deal with fear and find ways of dealing with these. NCERT also offers the Diploma Course in Guidance and Counselling (DCGC) with teacher counsellor model so that such teacher apart from teaching can also extend help to students in dealing with academic, personal and career related issues.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Foreign Medical Students/Graduates are either covered under “Screening Test Regulations, 2002” or “Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations, 2021”. There are no such provisions in the Indian Medical Council Act 1956 & the National Medical Commission Act, 2019 as well as the Regulations to accommodate or transfer medical students from any foreign medical institutes to Indian medical colleges. No permission has been given by the NMC to transfer or accommodate any foreign medical students in any Indian medical institute/university.
The National Medical Commission (NMC) has devised a scheme under which Indian students who were in the last year of their undergraduate medicine course (due to COVID-19, Russia-Ukraine conflict etc. had to leave their foreign medical institute) and have subsequently completed their studies as also have been granted certificate of completion of course/degree by the respective institute, on or before 30th June, 2022, are permitted to appear in Foreign Medical Graduate Examination. Thereafter, upon qualifying the FMG examination, such foreign medical graduates are required to undergo Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship (CRMI) for a period of two years to make up for the clinical training which could not be physically attended by them during the undergraduate medicine course in the foreign institute as also to familiarize them with practice of medicine under Indian conditions. Foreign medical graduates get registration only after completing the CRMI of two years.
As per information received from MEA, the Indian Embassy in Kyiv has communicated with all the concerned Universities in Ukraine for providing transcript and other documents in a smooth manner to the students. The details are available on the website of Embassy to assist students to address any related issues.
The NMC has also issued Public Notices conveying its No-objection to the Academic Mobility Program offered by Ukraine i.e., temporary relocation (for the period of conflict) to other universities applicable in either of 29 countries as mentioned in the Public Notice.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
MSMEs have availed the benefit under erstwhile PTUAS scheme. However, the PTUAS has been incorporated as a sub-scheme under the Scheme - Strengthening of Pharmaceutical Industry (SPI), which was launched in July 2022.
The Strengthening of Pharmaceutical Industry (SPI), with the financial outlay of Rs. 500 crores and with a tenure from FY 2021-2022 to FY 2025-26, has following three components, to provide infrastructure support for pharma MSMEs in clusters and to address the issues of technology upgradation of individual pharma MSMEs :-
Assistance to Pharmaceutical Industry for Common Facilities (API-CF) Pharmaceutical Technology Upgradation Assistance Scheme (PTUAS Pharmaceutical & Medical Devices Promotion and Development Scheme (PMPDS) The sub-scheme PTUAS is aimed to facilitate Micro, Small and Medium Pharma Enterprises (MSMEs) of proven track record to meet national and international regulatory standards (WHO-GMP or Schedule-M), interest subvention or capital subsidy on their capital loans will be provided, which will further facilitate the growth in volumes as well as in quality and it is ensivaged to support about 400 Pharma MSME units under this sub-scheme during the scheme tenure.
PTUAS is a credit linked scheme and under this, applications are invited from eligible Pharma MSME units since 01.08.2022. For registration of application, online portal has been developed by SIDBI, the Project Management Consultant (PMC) of the scheme and details are available at https://spi.udyamimitra.in. About 60 applications have been registered till date.
Further, one national and 10 State level outreach events were conducted, involving the State Governments and Pharma Industry Associations for maximum outreach and awareness for larger participation by Pharma MSME industries to avail the scheme benefits.
This information was given by Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Bhagwanth Khuba in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
A total of 96,077 MBBS seats are available in the country out of which 51,712 in Government Medical Colleges and 44365 in Private Medical Colleges. There are 49,790 PG seats of National Medical Commission (NMC) available in the country, out of which 30,384 in Government Medical Colleges and 19,406 in Private Medical Colleges. There are also 12,648 Diplomate of National Board (DNB) / Fellowship of National Board (FNB) PG seats out of which 4185 in Government institutions and 8463 in Private institutions. In addition, 1621 PG seats are in College of Physicians and Surgeons (CPS).
There is an increase of 67% in Medical Colleges from 387 before 2014 to 648 as of now. Further, there is an increase of 87% in MBBS seats from 51348 before 2014 to 96077 as of now and increase of 105% in PG seats from 31185 before 2014 to 64059 as of now. The measures/steps taken by the Government to increase the opportunities for medical studies and expansion of medical education in the Country include: -
Central Sector Scheme for establishment of new medical college by upgrading district/ referral hospital under which 94 new medical colleges are already functional out of 157 approved.
Central Sector Scheme for strengthening/ upgradation of existing State Government/Central Government Medical Colleges to increase MBBS and PG seats.
Central Sector Scheme for “Upgradation of Government Medical Colleges by construction of Super Specialty Blocks”. A total of 60 projects are complete out of 75 approved.
Under the Central Sector Scheme for setting up of new AIIMS, 22 AIIMS have been approved. Undergraduate courses have started in 19 of these.
Relaxation in the norms for setting up of Medical College in terms of requirement for faculty, staff, bed strength and other infrastructure.
DNB qualification has been recognized for appointment as faculty to take care of shortage of faculty.
Enhancement of age limit for appointment/ extension/ re-employment against posts of teachers/Dean/Principal/ Director in medical colleges upto 70 years.
As per information received from the State Government of Madhya Pradesh, the State in order to promote education in regional languages has taken a decision to impart medical education in Hindi as a pilot project.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
The Government accords top priority to the National Family Planning Program, which is guided by the tenets of the National Population Policy 2000 and National Health Policy 2017, to address the unmet need for Family Planning.
The following steps have been taken by the Government:
Expanded Contraceptive Choices
Mission Parivar Vikas (MPV) implemented in 13 states for substantially increasing access to contraceptives and family planning services.
Compensation scheme for sterilization acceptors which provides compensation for loss of wages to the beneficiary and also to the service provider team for conducting sterilization.
Post-partum Intra-uterine contraceptive device (PPIUCD) services are provided post delivery.
Scheme for Home Delivery of contraceptives by ASHAs at doorstep of beneficiaries.
Family Planning Logistics Management Information System (FP-LMIS) to ensure last mile availability of family planning commodities across all the levels of health facilities.
The following progress has been achieved by the Government:
The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) declined to 2.0 in 2019-21 (NFHS 5) which is below replacement level.
31 out of 36 States/ UTs have achieved replacement level fertility (NFHS 5).
The Modern Contraceptive usage has increased to 56.5% (NFHS 5).
The Unmet Need for Family Planning has decreased to 9.4% (NFHS 5).
The Crude Birth Rate (CBR) has declined to 19.5 in 2020 (SRS).
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
The Government has put in place a Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) for Pharmaceutical companies, which is in operation since 01.01.2015, to prevent unethical practices by the pharmaceutical companies. This code governs the conduct of pharmaceutical companies in their marketing practices, duly covering the various aspects such as medical representatives, textual and audio-visual promotional materials, samples, gifts, etc. Further, the code establishes relationship with healthcare professionals, wherein the provisions related to travel facilities, hospitality and cash or monetary grants to physicians or their families have been elaborated. The code also details the mode of operation of the code, responsibilities of the Pharmaceutical Associations in constituting the Ethics Committee for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (ECPMP) for handling the complaints and Apex Ethics Committee for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (AECPMP) for review, procedure of lodging a complaint, procedure of handling of complaints by the Pharmaceutical Associations and various penalty provisions.
The code has been adopted by the all the major associations of pharmaceutical companies and the Department on various instances has reviewed implementation of the code by the Pharmaceuticals associations. The complaints of violation of the voluntary UCPMP by pharma companies, as received by the Department, are forwarded to the concerned pharmaceutical associations for taking necessary action.
The Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002 formed under Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 (102 of 1956), provides for conduct for doctors and professional association of doctors in their relationship with pharmaceutical and allied health sector industry. Under this, any complaint of professional misconduct of a medical practitioner or professional is to be addressed by the respective State Medical Councils.
This information was given by Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Bhagwanth Khuba in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is organizing a two days conclave commemorating the “Universal Coverage Day (UHC) 2022” on 10th and 11th December 2022 at Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Smt. Anandiben Patel, Hon’ble Governor, Uttar Pradesh will inaugurate the two-day celebrations in presence of Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya. Chief Minister Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath will grace the health minister’s conclave on the second day. The venue for this event will be International Cooperation and Convention Centre Rudraksh Hall. The event will be graced by Health Ministers from various States. In addition, State Officials including ACS/Principal Secretary, Health, Mission Directors NHM, Director Health; 900 Community Health Officers/ In charge of Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs) and Medical Officers from 5 States Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand, national experts and Development and Implementing Partners supporting the rollout of AB-HWCs will also participate in the two-days conclave. More than 1200 participants will participate in the conference at Varanasi.
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) aims that ‘all people have access to needed promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative health services, of sufficient quality to be effective, while also ensuring that people do not suffer financial hardship when paying for these services’. 12th of December, was officially designated as “International Universal Health Coverage Day” by the United Nations in the Year 2017. The theme of UHC day is “Build the World We Want: A Healthy Future for All” which underscores the role and importance of health coverage in building a healthy future for all. Also, one of the priorities of the G20 health track includes focus on Universal Health Coverage and improved healthcare service delivery.
As part of the UHC conclave, there will be three Ministerial sessions on:
Implementation of PM-ABHIM and 15th FC grants for Health
Disease Elimination – (TB, Kala Azar, Lymphatic Filariasis, Malaria, Leprosy and TB)
Implementation of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (PMJAY) and distribution of PMJAY cards.
Dr Mansukh Mandaviya will also launch of operational guidelines for AB-HWCs, Tele-MANAS along with training modules for CHOs and SASHAKT portal at the inaugural ceremony. Union Health Minister will also felicitate Best Performing States/UTs.
This year Best Performing States/UTs will be awarded on following themes:
Achievement of HWCs Operationalization against target
Tele consultation
ABHA ID Generation and seeding in various health portals
The 1st Regional Community Health Officers (CHO) Conference for Northern India will be held as a side event. The participating States are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand from where about 900 CHOs and MBBS Medical officers and AYUSH doctors (In charge of PHCs and AYUSH dispensaries) are expected to participate. The best Primary Health Care Teams (CHO, ASHA & ANM) at the Health and Wellness Centres of these States will also be felicitated. The four main themes of the regional CHO conference are focused on the following areas:
Clinical & Public Health Functions - Roll out of expanded package of services, organizing wellness activities and annual health calendar days etc. Managerial Functions - Leadership of HWC team, Management of HWC, Data driven planning & monitoring Community Connect &AYUSH Integration- Working with Jan Arogya Samiti, Convergent actions with other departments, AYUSH services in HWC. IT initiatives - Telemedicine through E-Sanjeevani and continuum of care, TeleManasABHA-ID