As per the National Mental Health Survey 2016, conducted by National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bengaluru in 12 States of the country, the prevalence of depressive disorders among adults (18+ years) in India is estimated to be 2.7%. As per the survey, mental health problems are both a cause and consequence of several disorders, non-communicable diseases, addiction problems, injury and violence, social problems and are linked to social determinants of health.
For providing affordable and accessible mental healthcare facilities to the population, the Government is implementing the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) in the country. The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) component of the NMHP has been sanctioned for implementation in 704 districts for which support is provided to States/UTs through the National Health Mission. Facilities made available under DMHP at the Community Health Centre (CHC) and Primary Health Centre (PHC) levels, include outpatient services, assessment, counselling/ psycho-social interventions, care and support to persons with severe mental disorders, drugs, outreach services, ambulance services etc. In addition to above services there is a provision of 10 bedded in-patient facility at the district level.
To generate awareness among masses about mental illnesses Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities are an integral part of the NMHP. At the District level, sufficient funds are provided to Districts under the DMHP under the Non-communicable Diseases flexi-pool of National Health Mission for IEC and awareness generation activities in the community, schools, workplaces, with community involvement. Under the DMHP various IEC activities such as awareness messages in local newspapers and radio, street plays, wall paintings etc. are undertaken by the States/UTs.
Besides the above, the Government has announced a “National Tele Mental Health Programme” in the Budget of 2022-23, to further improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharti Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Under District Mental Health Programme, fund of Rs. 84.13 Crore have been approved for States/UTs under National Health Mission for the year 2020-21. Under the Tertiary care component of National Mental Health Programme, 25 Centers of Excellence and 47 PG Departments have been sanctioned to increase the intake of students in PG departments in mental health specialties as well as to provide tertiary level treatment facilities. For this scheme Rs. 35 Crore have been allocated for the year 2020-21.
Funds allocated for the year 2020-21 to 03 (three) Mental Health Institutions, namely, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health (LGBRIMH), Tezpur, Assam, and Central Institute of Psychiatry (CIP), Ranchi, under the administrative control of the Central Government are as under:
| Name of Institutions | Fund Allocated (Rs in Crore) |
| Nimhans, Bengaluru | 434.43 |
| LGBRIMH, Tezpur, Assam | 53.20 |
| CIP, Ranchi | 101.25 |
Realizing the impact that COVID-19 may have on the mental health of the people, the Government has taken a number of initiatives, including -
Setting up of a 24/7 helpline to provide psychosocial support, by mental health professionals, to the entire affected population, divided into different target groups viz children, adult, elderly, women and healthcare workers.
Issuance of guidelines/ advisories on management of mental health issues, catering to different segments of the society.
Advocacy through various media platforms in the form of creative and audio-visual materials on managing stress and anxiety, and promoting an environment of support and care for all.
Issuance and dissemination of detailed guidelines by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru- "Mental Health in the times of COVID-19 Pandemic - Guidance for General Medical and Specialized Mental Health Care Settings".
All the guidelines, advisories and advocacy material can be accessed on Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website under “Behavioral Health – Psychosocial helpline” (https://www.mohfw.gov.in/).
Online capacity building of health workers by NIMHANS in providing psychosocial support and training through (iGOT)-Diksha platform.
For providing affordable and accessible mental healthcare facilities to the population, including the poor and underprivileged, the Government is implementing NMHP in the country. The DMHP component of the NMHP has been sanctioned for implementation in 704 districts for which support is provided to States/UTs through the National Health Mission. Facilities made available under DMHP at the Community Health Centre (CHC) and Primary Health Centre (PHC) levels, include outpatient services, assessment, counselling/ psycho-social interventions, continuing care and support to persons with severe mental disorders, drugs, outreach services, ambulance services etc. In addition to above services there is a provision of 10 bedded in-patient facility at the district level.
Besides the above, the Government has announced a “National Tele Mental Health Programme” in the Budget of 2022-23, to further improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharti Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
For maintaining Diabetes record, there is a registry maintained by the Indian Council of Medical Research called as the Young Diabetes Registry (YDR) since year 2006. The YDR registry recruits patients with young onset diabetes, diagnosed on or before 25 years of age. The registry operates at 205 centres from 10 cities across India. According to the YDR registry data out of 20351 young diabetes patients recruited, 13368 (65.6%) were type 1 diabetes. According to the 10th International Diabetes Federation Atlas 2021, the number of children with type 1 diabetes in India is 22,94,000 in the age group of 0 - 19 years.
A sub study from the ICMR-YDR registry also estimated the annual incidence of type 1 diabetes from the cities of Delhi and Chennai. According to this study, the average annual incidence of type 1 diabetes (below 20 years) is 4.9 cases/1,00,000 populations.
Even though Health being a state subject, the Department of Health & Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), as part of National Health Mission (NHM), based on the proposals received from the States/UTs. Diabetes is an integral part of the NPCDCS. Under the program, all age-groups, including children, are covered.
Under Free Drugs Service Initiative of NHM, financial support is provided to States/UTs for provision of free essential medicines including insulin for poor and needy people including children. Furthermore, quality generic medicines including insulin are made available at affordable prices to all, under ‘Jan Aushadhi Scheme’, in collaboration with the State Governments.
Government Hospitals provide free of cost treatment. The treatment for in-patient care is also available under Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) for 10.74 crore families eligible under AB-PMJAY as per Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC) database 2011.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharti Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Regarding healthcare/medical professionals in the country, there are 13,01,319 allopathic doctors registered with the State Medical Councils and the National Medical Commission (NMC) as on November, 2021. The doctor-population ratio is 1:834 in the country assuming 80% availability of registered allopathic doctors and 5.65 lakh AYUSH doctors. Also, there are 2.89 lakh registered dentists, 32.63 lakh registered nursing personnel and 13 lakh Allied and Healthcare Professionals in the country. Health is a State subject and the primary responsibility to fill the vacancies of health personnel in Government hospitals lies with the concerned State Government.
Further, data on Healthcare Workers who contacted COVID-19 is expected to be maintained by respective States/UTs. Government of India has given first priority to Health Care Workers for COVID-19 vaccination so that they are conferred full protection provided by vaccine against COVID-19. Covid vaccination in India started on 16th January 2021 and the first group taken up for this vaccination are the Healthcare Workers. As a matter of abundant precaution, for those Health Care Workers (HCWs) & Front Line Workers (FLWs) who have received two doses, another booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine started from 10th January 2022.
The Government has taken following steps to further increase the availability of doctors in the country. The number of UG seats have increased from 51,348 before 2014 to 89875 seats as of date which is an increase of 75%. The numbers of PG seats have increased by 93% from 31,185 seats before 2014 to 60202 seats.
The steps to increase the seats include: -
Centrally Sponsored Scheme for establishment of new medical college by upgrading district/ referral hospital under which 157 new medical colleges have been approved and 71 are already functional.
Centrally Sponsored 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 75 projects have been approved and 55 have been completed.
Under Central Sector Scheme for setting up of new AIIMS, 22 AIIMS have been approved. Undergraduate courses have started in 19 AIIMS.
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.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharti Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
The extant National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy (NPPP), notified on 7th December, 2012, has been formulated with an objective to put in place a regulatory framework for pricing of drugs so as to ensure availability of essential medicines at reasonable prices while providing sufficient opportunity for innovation and competition to support the growth of pharma industry. The policy made a shift from earlier ‘cost based’ pricing under the Drug Policy, 1994 to ‘market based’ pricing.
In pursuance of NPPP, 2012, the Government notified the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO-2013). As per the provisions of DPCO, 2013, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) fixes the ceiling price of all scheduled formulations appearing in National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM). All the manufacturers of these drugs are required to sell their product equal to or lower than the ceiling price. Further, NPPA monitors the prices of non-scheduled drugs so as to ensure that the increase in their Maximum Retail Price (MRP) is not more than 10% of what was prevalent during the preceding twelve months.
The information was given by
There are 1080 Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs) operational across the country. These NRCs provide medical and nutritional care of the admitted sick children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), including the tribal sick SAM children.
Government of India is taking some initiatives to reduce the mortalities due to malnutrition. Some of the key measures are as under:
Nutritional Rehabilitation Centre: As per Operational Guidelines on Facility Based Management of Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition released in 2011, Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) is a unit in a health facility where children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) are admitted and managed. The unit should be a distinct area within the health facility and should be in proximity to the pediatric ward/inpatient facility.
Integrated Child Development Schemes (ICDS): Launched on 2nd October, 1975, the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme is one of the flagship programmes of the Government of India, implemented by Ministry of Women and Child Development. It is the foremost symbol of country’s commitment to its children and nursing mothers, as a response to the challenge of providing pre-school non-formal education on one hand and breaking the vicious cycle of malnutrition, morbidity, reduced learning capacity and mortality on the other. The beneficiaries under the Scheme are children in the age group of 0-6 years, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
The ICDS Scheme offers a package of six services, viz. (a) Supplementary Nutrition (b) Pre-school non-formal education (c) Nutrition & health education (d) Immunization (e) Health check-up and (f) Referral services. The last three services are majorly related to health and are financially and technically supported by Ministry/Department of Health and Family Welfare implemented through the State.
Poshan Abhiyan is a multi-ministerial convergence mission with the vision to ensure attainment of malnutrition free India by 2022. The objective of POSHAN Abhiyaan to reduce stunting in identified Districts of India with the highest malnutrition burden by improving utilization of key Anganwadi Services and improving the quality of Anganwadi Services delivery.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) is implementing POSHAN Abhiyaan in phased manner. There are a number of schemes directly/indirectly affecting the nutritional status of children (0-6 year's age) and pregnant women and lactating mothers.
Infant and young child feeding practices: GOI has released a guideline on Infant and young child feeding practices to improve the cognitive development, enhance weight gain and to prevent malnutrition among children. As per the guidelines for enhancing optimal infant and young child feeding practices 2013 which includes practices of initiating breast feeding within one hour of birth, exclusive breast feeding for the first 6 months of life, initiation of appropriate complementary feeding from the age of 6 months, continued breast feeding for 2 years and beyond.
Outpatient services are also provided, outpatient services of public health facilities comprising of:
Antenatal clinic
IYFC counselling centre
Sick child consultation in outpatient department
Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) and optimal feeding of low-birth-weight infants: Public health facilities encourage for Kangaroo Mother care and optimal feeding of low-birth-weight infants- As per Operational guidelines on Kangaroo Mother care and optimal feeding of low-birth-weight infants 2014, KMC is associated with reduced incidence of severe illness including pneumonia during infancy. In most of the studies KMC has been found to be more effective than incubator care for stable newborns in providing adequate thermal care, reducing nosocomial infections, improving exclusive breastfeeding and weight gain, and fostering greater maternal and family involvement in care.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharti Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
The production and availability of essential medicines, which are included as Schedule-I of the Drugs Prices Control Order, 2013 are monitored by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) through Drugs Control Administration of the State Governments. The manufacturers of scheduled formulations are also required to submit quarterly returns of production / import of scheduled formulation and their bulk drugs/active pharmaceutical ingredients. Regular surveys of chemists shops are conducted by the officials of the Drug Controller General (India) and the Price Monitoring and Resource Units (PMRUs) set-up in 22 States/UTs by NPPA. Whenever shortage is reported by the State Drug Controllers or when the matter comes to the notice of NPPA, remedial steps are taken for ensuring availability of drug by impressing upon manufacturers to rush the stocks to the places of shortage. However, no reports have been received recently by NPPA regarding scarcity of essential medicines in the country.
In order to make the country Atmanirbhar in pharmaceutical sector, the Department of Pharmaceuticals has launched the ‘Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for promotion of domestic manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials (KSMs)/ Drug Intermediates (DIs) and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)’ with a total financial outlay of Rs. 6,940 cr. In total, 49 applicants have been approved under the scheme, out of which 8 projects have already been commissioned. Another ‘Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Pharmaceuticals’ has been launched by the Department with total financial outlay of Rs. 15,000 cr. to enhance India’s manufacturing capabilities by increasing investment and production in the sector. In total, 55 applications have been approved under the scheme. Further, the Department has launched a scheme for ‘Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks’ with a total financial outlay of Rs. 3,000 cr.
The information was given by the Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Shri Bhagwanth Khuba in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Under the National Health Mission, based on the proposals submitted by States/ Union Territories in the Annual Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs), support is provided for establishing Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs) / Sick New-born Care Units (SNCUs) at Medical College and District Hospital level, New-born Stabilization Units (NBSUs) at First Referral Units (FRUs)/ Community Health Centres (CHCs) level for care of sick and small babies.
Under National Health Mission, ASHAs are performing following activities for childcare:
Conducting home visits as per scheduled visit under Home Based New-born Care and Home-Based Care of Young Children (HBYC) program to improve childcare practices and to identify sick new-born and young children in the community for referral to nearest health facilities for management.
Mobilize eligible new-borns and children to immunization sessions and support Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) in conducting regular immunization.
Identify houses with 0 to 5 years old children and distribute Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) packets and Zinc tablets and educate mothers on preparation of ORS.
Increase awareness among families and community members on early identification of childhood pneumonia and also refer severe cases to the nearest health facility in coordination with ANMs.
Distribute Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) syrup to mothers of children 6 to 59 months of age and also ensure IFA supplementation twice in a week to prevent anaemia in children.
Identify sick children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in coordination with Anganwadi workers and ANMs for referral to Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs).
Promote early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for first six months among infants and appropriate Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is supporting all States/UTs in implementation of Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child, Adolescent health and Nutrition (RMNCAH+N) strategy under National Health Mission (NHM) based on the Annual Programme Implementation Plan (APIP) submitted by States/ UTs to reduce Infant Mortality Rate. The details of interventions are given below.
Facility Based New-born Care: Sick New-born Care Units (SNCUs) are established at District Hospital and Medical College level, New-born Stabilization Units (NBSUs) are established at First Referral Units (FRUs)/ Community Health Centres (CHCs) for care of sick and small babies.
Community Based care of New-born and Young Children: Under Home Based New-born Care (HBNC) and Home-Based Care of Young Children (HBYC) program, home visits are performed by ASHAs to improve child rearing practices and to identify sick new-born and young children in the community.
Mothers’ Absolute Affection (MAA): Early initiation and exclusive breastfeeding for first six months and appropriate Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices are promoted under Mothers’ Absolute Affection (MAA).
· Social Awareness and Actions to Neutralize Pneumonia Successfully (SAANS) initiative implemented since 2019 for reduction of childhood morbidity and mortality due to Pneumonia.
· Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) is implemented to provide vaccination to children against life threatening diseases such as Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Polio, Tetanus, Hepatitis B, Measles, Rubella, Pneumonia and Meningitis caused by Haemophilus Influenzae B. The Rotavirus vaccination has also been rolled out in the country for prevention of Rota-viral diarrhoea. Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) has been introduced in all the States and UTs. · Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakaram (RBSK): Children from 0 to 18 years of age are screened for 30 health conditions (i.e. Diseases, Deficiencies, Defects and Developmental delay) under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakaram (RBSK) to improve child survival. District Early Intervention Centres (DEICs) at district health facility level are established for confirmation and management of children screened under RBSK.
· Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs) are set up at public health facilities to treat and manage the children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) admitted with medical complications.
· Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight / Defeat Diarrhoea (D2) initiative implemented for promoting ORS and Zinc use and for reducing diarrhoeal deaths.
· Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) strategy as a part of POSHAN Abhiyan aims to strengthen the existing mechanisms and foster newer strategies to tackle anaemia which include testing & treatment of anaemia in school going adolescents & pregnant women, addressing non-nutritional causes of anaemia and a comprehensive communication strategy.
· Capacity Building: Several capacity building programs of health care providers are taken up for improving maternal and child survival and health outcomes.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharti Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Advertisements concerning drugs are regulated under the provision of Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, which is administered by the State Governments. The Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945 were amended in 2015 and a provision was made to the effect that no advertisement of drugs specified in Schedule H, Schedule H1 and Schedule X (i.e. Prescription drugs) shall be made except with the previous sanction of the Central Government. State Licensing Authorities are empowered to take action in case of non-compliance.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, on the basis of information provided by Ministry of AYUSH, in order to protect the citizens from misleading advertisement and health risk, issued an advisory on 12.07.2017 in which all TV channels were advised to advertise only products that have valid licence issued by Ministry of AYUSH or State Drug Licensing Authorities.
The sale and distribution of drugs in the country are regulated by the State Licensing Authority (SLAs) through a system of inspection and licensing under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. The said Rules prescribe conditions to be satisfied before grant of licence for sale of drugs. These include adequacy of the premises, proper storage facilities for preserving the properties of drug, requirement of competent person to supervise and control the sale of drugs, etc. SLAs are legally empowered to take action in case violation of the condition of license.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharti Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
To address the burden of mental disorders, the Government of India is implementing the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) since 1982. The Government is supporting implementation of the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) under NMHP in 704 districts of the country. To generate awareness among masses about mental illnesses, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities are an integral part of the NMHP. At district level, sufficient funds are provided under the DMHP under the National Health Mission for IEC and awareness generation activities in the community, schools, workplaces and community at large.
Further, realizing the impact that COVID-19 may have on the mental health of the people, the Government has taken a number of initiatives, including -
Setting up of a 24/7 helpline to provide psychosocial support, by mental health professionals, to the entire affected population, divided into different target groups viz children, adult, elderly, women and healthcare workers.
Issuance of guidelines/ advisories on management of mental health issues, catering to different segments of the society.
Advocacy through various media platforms in the form of creative and audio-visual materials on managing stress and anxiety, and promoting an environment of support and care for all. Issuance and dissemination of detailed guidelines by the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru- "Mental Health in the times of COVID-19 Pandemic - Guidance for General Medical and Specialized Mental Health Care Settings".
All the guidelines, advisories and advocacy material can be accessed on Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website under “Behavioural Health – Psychosocial helpline” (https://www.mohfw.goin/ ).
Online capacity building of health workers by NIMHANS in providing psychosocial support and training through (iGOT)-Diksha platform.
Besides the above, the Government has announced a “National Tele Mental Health Programme” in the Budget of 2022-23, to further improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country.
With the objective to mobilize efforts in support of mental health and to raise awareness about mental health issues and advocate against the social stigma that surrounds mental health, the World Mental Health Day is also observed on 10th October of each year.
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharti Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.