2.1.1. In the last few decades, significant progress has been achieved in the direction of improving the health status of the people. This has been corroborated from the fact that the life expectancy in the country has increased to 62 years, Infant Mortality Rate has come down to 71 per thousand live births and death rate has been reduced to 8.9 per thousand of the population.
2.1.2. Department of Health is implementing National Health Programmes to control/eradicate major communicable and noncommunicable diseases like Malaria, Tuberculosis, Leprosy, Blindness, Cancer etc. Morbidity and mortality due to these diseases has been reduced substantially. Programmes are also being implemented for prevention and control of HIV/AIDS, control of Iodine Deficiency Disorders, Mental Health, Cardio-vascular diseases, Diabetes and rehabilitation of the medically disabled.
2.1.3. Schemes are also under implementation for strengthening of surveillance and epidemic response systems to prevent outbreak of infectious diseases. Plans for augmenting the emergency services in Central Government hospitals have been drawn up and are at various stages of implementation. Renovation and modernisation of institutions and organisations in the Central health sector have been planned through a project which aims at strengthening drug quality control, food safety, the medical store Organisation and vaccine production centres.
2.1.4. The Outlay for Central Sector Health Programmes in the Annual Plan 199899 is Rs. 1 145.20 Crore including an external aid component of Rs.524 crore against the total outlay of Rs.920.20 crore (including Rs.400 crore as external aid) for the year 1997-98. A major portion of outlay is for the National Health Programmes for the control of communicable diseases implemented through Centrally Sponsored Schemes. In a number of projects external assistance has been availed of and is being further sought so that in critical areas, the Centre can assist the States in the containment and eradication of diseases. During the Annual Plan 1998-99, following allocations have been made under Centrally Sponsored Schemes.
(Rs. in Crore)
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Items Outlay
approved
for 1998-99
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Control of Communicable
Diseases 687.50
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Food and Drug
Administration 4.50
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Total 692.00
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2.1.5. Another major component of the Central Sector Health Programme relates to purely Central Schemes through which financial assistance is given to Central institutions engaged in various health-related activities. These institutions are responsible for contribution in the field of control of communicable and non- communicable diseases, medical education, training, research and patientcare. During the Annual Plan 1998-99, following allocations have been made under Purely Central Sector Schemes:
(Rs. in Crore)
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Items Outlay
approved
for 1998-99
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Rural Health Training Centre,
Najafgarh 0.80
Institutions for Control of
Communicable Diseases 24.97
Control/Containment of
Non-Communicable Diseases 39.35
Hospitals and dispensaries 57.14
Institutions dealing with
Medical Education, Training
and Research 254.61
Other Programmes 76.33
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Total 453.20
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