On March 23, 2021, the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi approved several important proposals.
- Cabinet was appraised on the progress under the National Health Mission (NHM) during FY 2019-20.
- Approval of signing of MoU between UPSC, India & Independent Administrative Reforms & Civil Services Commission (IARCSC), Afghanistan.
- Memorandum of Cooperation signed between India & Japan in Water Resources Field.
Appraisal of NHM’s progress during FY 2019-20
- NHM comes under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, it stated an Expenditure of INR 27, 989 Crore (Central Share) during the FY 2019-20.
Key Points
i.MMR, URMR & IMR
- Acceleration in decline of Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), Under Five Mortality Rate (U5MR) & Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) since the launch of NRHM/NHM.
- At this rate of decline, India will be able to reach its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets (70 Maternal Deaths per 10,000; U5MR- 25 deaths per 1000 live births) before the due year 2030.
ii.Decline of Diseases
- Malaria – A decline of 61% malaria cases & 83% deaths was recorded in 2018 compared to 2014. In 2019, Malaria cases & deaths declined by 21.27% and 20% respectively compared to 2018.
- Dengue – In 2019, the Case Fertility Rate (CFR) in relation to Dengue was reduced to 0.1% (National Target was to sustain CSR at Less than 1%).
iii.Others
- Intensified Mission Indradhanush 2.0 to reach and unreached and partially vaccinated children in 29 States/UTs.
- Implementation of Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) in 3 States/UT. It was launched in 2016 to support dialysis facilities in all district hospitals.
New Initiatives started by NHM in 2019-20
i.SAANS
- SAANS stands for Social Awareness and Actions to Neutralize Pneumonia Successfully
- To accelerate action for reducing deaths due to childhood pneumonia.
ii.SUMAN
- It stands for Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN).
- To provide free quality healthcare to pregnant women, new mothers and newborns.
- Through this initiative, the government aims to achieve the target of reducing maternal and infant mortality.
iii.Midwifery Services Initiative
- To create a cadre of Nurse Practitioners in Midwifery who are skilled in accordance with competencies prescribed by the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM).
- To train Nurse Practitioners who are knowledgeable and capable of providing compassionate women-centered, reproductive, maternal and newborn health care services.
iv.School Health and Wellness Ambassadors Initiative
- School Health and Wellness Ambassadors Initiative was launched under the AB-HWCs (Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centre) Programme.
- It was launched in partnership with the Ministry of Education to promote health and well-being through an active lifestyle amongst school children.
Regarding Diseases
- MMR has declined by 443 points from 556 per one lakh live births in 1990 to 113 in 2016-18. A decline of 80% (since 1990) which is higher than the global decline of 45%.
- TFR (Total Fertility Rate) in India declined from 2.3% in 2013 to 2% in 2018.
- Incidence of TB per 1, 00, 000 population has declined from 234 in 2012 to 193 in 2019. Mortality due to TB per 1 Lakh populations for India reduce to 33 in 2019 (from 42 in 2012).
- The percentage of Kala-Azar endemic blocks, achieving the elimination target of Less than 1 KA case per 10, 000 population, increased from 74.2% in 2014 to 94% in 2019-20.
- The National target of sustaining case fatality rate (CFR) to less than 1% was achieved.
Targets
- Reduce MMR to 1/1000 live births
- Reduce IMR to 25/1000 live births
- Reduce TFR to 2.1
- Reduce prevalence of Leprosy to Less than 1/10, 000 population and incidence to zero in all districts
- Annual Malaria Incidence to be Less than 1/1000
- Prevent and reduce mortality & Morbidity from Communicable, non-communicable; injuries and emerging diseases.
- Reduce household out-of-pocket expenditure on total health care expenditure
- Ending the TB epidemic by 2025 from India.
National Health Mission
- NHM was launched in 2013 subsuming the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) & National Urban Health Mission.
- Objective -For access to affordable and quality health care to rural populations, with focus on vulnerable groups.
- Ministry of Finance accorded interim extension of NHM for a period up to 31st March, 2021 or till the date the recommendation of 15th Finance Commissions come into effect.
Cabinet Approval with Other Countries
The Union Cabinet approved the signing of a MoU between Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), India & Independent Administrative Reforms and Civil Services Commission (IARCSC), Afghanistan
Objective
- To strengthen the relationship between IARCSC & UPSC
- To facilitate sharing of experience & expertise of both parties in the area of recruitment.
Features of MoU:
- Exchange of experience on modern approach to public service recruitment and selection.
- Exchange of information and expertise including books, manuals and other documents.
- Sharing of expertise in use of Information Technology (IT) in the preparation of written examinations and holding of Computer Based Recruitment Tests & Online Examinations.
- Sharing of experience in the Single Window System for faster scrutiny and speedy disposal of applications.
- Sharing of experience and expertise on various processes involved in the examination system.
- For Organization of training sessions for officials, including short attachments to the Parties’ secretariat/headquarters.
- Sharing of experience regarding processes and procedures followed by various government agencies in recruitment of posts.
About Union Public Service Commission (UPSC):
Chairman – Pradeep Kumar Joshi
Head quarter – New Delhi, Delhi.
About Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission (IARCSC):
Chairman -Ahmad Nader Nadery
Head quarter – Kabul, Afghanistan
Approval of MoC between India & Japan
The Union Cabinet approved an MoC signed between the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India & Water and Disaster Management bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan in the field of Water resources.
Objective – To achieve water security, improved irrigation facility and sustainability in water resources development.
Benefits
- It was signed for development of long-term cooperation in the field of Water and Delta management, and Water technology.
- It will increase the exchange of information, knowledge, technology and scientific allied experience,
- The agreement will also facilitate implementation of joint projects between the two countries.
Recent Related News:
i.On February 24, 2021, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi approved proposals regarding Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Pharmaceuticals & IT Hardware and proposal of the Home Ministry to dissolve the Puducherry Assembly and impose President’s rule in the Union Territory.
Union Cabinet:
- A small executive body that acts as the supreme decision-making body in India.
- Only the Prime Minister & Ministers of the rank of Cabinet Minister are members of the Union Cabinet following Article 75 of the Indian Constitution.
- The total number of ministers in the Union Cabinet must not exceed 15% of the total number of members of Lok Sabha.
