1.1.1. In view of the federal nature of the Constitution, areas of operation have been divided between Union Government and State Governments. Seventh Schedule of Constitution describes three exhaustive lists of items, namely, Union List, State List and Concurrent List. Though some items like Public Health, Hospitals, Sanitation, etc. fall in the State List, the items having wider ramification at the national level have been included in the Concurrent List.
1.1.2. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is instrumental and responsible for implementation of various programmes of national importance like Family Welfare, Prevention and Control of major diseases etc. which form the main plank of our developmental efforts. Apart from these, the Ministry also assists the States in preventing and controlling the spread of outbreaks and epidemics through technical assistance.
1.1.3. In addition to centrally sponsored schemes, the Ministry has formulated and is implementing various World Bank assisted Projects for the control of AIDS, Malaria, Leprosy, T.B. and Blindness in designated areas through the States. The State Health System Projects are implemented through the State, but the Department of Health had facilitated the States in availing of external assis- tance. These Projects are currently under implementation in Andhra Pradeh, Karnataka, West Bengal, Punjab and Orissa. All these Schemes aim at fulfilling the national commitment to improve access to health keeping in view the needs of rural areas and where the burden of disease is high.
1.1.4. The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare comprise of the following departments, each of which is headed by a Secretary to the Government of India: (i) Department of Health, (ii) Department of Family Welfare, and (iii) Department of Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy. Organisational Charts of Department of Health, Family Welfare and Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy are at Annexure IN and III respectively
1.1.5. The Directorate General of Health Services, a repository of technical knowledge, is an attached office of this Ministry. The Organisational Chart of the Directorate General of Health Services is at Annexure-IV. The DGHS also renders technical advice on all medical and public health matters and in the implementation of various health schemes. In order to implement the policies and programmes of the Ministry in an effective manner, there are three subordinate offices located at various places in the country which function directly under the Ministry. The Ministry is also administratively concerned with 29 autonomous/statutory bodies. There are also three Public Sector Undertakings under the administrative control of the Ministry.