Time to start the work on the new National Health Policy

 Rajendra Pratap Gupta

President & Member

Board of Directors

October 27, 2013

Shri Keshav Desiraju

Secretary to the Government of India

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

Nirman Bhawan, New Delhi – 110108.

 

Reference: Need for a National Health Policy – NHP

Dear Shri Keshav ji,

I am writing on behalf of the Disease Management Association of India – The Population Health Improvement Alliance. We have been proactively taking up issues with regards to healthcare policy & reforms in India.

On February 01, 2013, when you were appointed as the Health Secretary, people involved with the health sector felt happy that the nation had got its best health secretary!  Expectations are running high!

This communiqué is about the need for setting up a team to draft the National Health Policy. Since the last National Health Policy was drafted more than 10 years ago in 2002, a lot of things have changed, like;

• NRHM was launched in 2005 as a flagship program focused on rural health
• RSBY was launched
• Pandemic outbreaks like H1N1 (Swine Flu) have been a surprise and have shaken the world
• Rise of MDR – T.B.
• Increase in the incidence of chronic diseases & the issues related to child health
• Occupational hazards
• High IMR/MMR & MDGs deadline approaching in 2015

Besides, a lot of other developments have taken place, like;

• UID –Aadhaar number for the entire population have been initiated
• Emergence of mHealth & telemedicine
• Newer technological interventions for diagnostics and treatment
• Emergence of Big Data Analytics

• Also that, India is focusing on transitioning the healthcare system to Universal Coverage
• Emergence of innovative concepts, like Disease Management, ACOs (Accountable Care Organizations), HMOs (Health Management Organizations)  & Meaningful use.
• Emergence of the prominent role of civil society organizations in healthcare delivery
• Role of social media

The 12^th five year plan has often been referred to as the plan for health, and I believe, that it is the right time to set up a committee to draft the new National Health Policy by 2015. Even if the committee is set up in early 2014, it will take at least a year to do the survey and complete the policy and so, most likely, the NHP would be tabled by 2015 and would cover a period of next 10 years (2015-2025).

We are sure that you will consider our request seriously and initiate the process for the new National Health Policy

With best wishes and with warm regards

Sd/-

Rajendra Pratap Gupta

CC:

Dr.Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister, Government of India.

Shri. Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare

Dr.Syeda Hameed, Member, Planning Commission, Government of India

Chairperson, UPA

Presidents of all the National Political Parties