Explain the policy of Government of India regarding health.

Answer:

• The Constitution makes public health a duty of the state. After independence the government set up a network of primary health centres, sub-centres and district hospitals, and institutions such as AIIMS (1956).
• The Bhore Committee (1946) guided early planning. National programmes were launched against malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy and smallpox; smallpox was eradicated by 1977.
• The first National Health Policy (1983) aimed at ‘Health for All by 2000’. The National Health Policies of 2002 and 2017 aimed to increase public spending on health, strengthen primary care and give affordable treatment.
• The Universal Immunisation Programme (1985) and the Pulse Polio campaign (1995) made India polio-free (declared 2014); Mission Indradhanush extended immunisation.
• The National Rural Health Mission (2005) appointed ASHA workers and the Janani Suraksha Yojana encouraged safe deliveries to reduce maternal and infant mortality.
• AYUSH systems (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy) are promoted, and health insurance schemes such as Ayushman Bharat (2018) give poor families free treatment.

As a result, life expectancy has risen and infant mortality has fallen.