A comprehensive Guide of National Health Policy 2017

Here’s a detailed guide on everything one needs to know about the latest Nation Healthcare Policy legislated in the year 2017.

The National Health Policy 2017 is a comprehensive document that outlines the government of India’s vision and strategy for the health sector. It was approved by the Union Cabinet in March 2017 and is aimed at achieving the highest possible level of good health and well-being for all Indians.

Key Features of the National Health Policy Include:

Universal Health Coverage (UHC): The policy emphasizes the goal of achieving universal health coverage, ensuring that all citizens have access to necessary healthcare services without facing financial hardships.

Increase in Public Health Spending: The policy advocates increasing public spending on health to at least 2.5% of the GDP in a time-bound manner. This is intended to address the resource gaps in the health sector.

Focus on Preventive and Promotive Healthcare: The policy gives significant importance to preventive and promotive healthcare measures to reduce the burden of diseases. It encourages a shift from a more curative approach to a holistic health system.

Strengthening Primary Healthcare: The National Health Policy emphasizes strengthening the primary healthcare system, with a focus on the establishment of Health and Wellness Centers as the foundation of India’s health system.

Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs): The policy aims to transform existing sub-centers and primary health centers into HWCs to provide comprehensive healthcare services, including preventive, promotive, and basic curative care.

Mental Health: The policy recognizes the importance of mental health and aims to integrate mental health services into the primary healthcare system. It emphasizes the need to reduce stigma and improve mental health awareness.

Digital Health: The policy promotes the use of digital technologies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare delivery. It envisions the development of an integrated health information system.

Collaborative Efforts: The National Health Policy emphasizes multi-sectoral collaboration involving various government departments and stakeholders to address social determinants of health.

Long-Term Goals of the National Health Policy

The long-term objectives of the National Health Policy are centered around guaranteeing optimal health and well-being for every individual, irrespective of age. This involves integrating health promotion and preventive measures into all developmental policies. Furthermore, the policy underscores the importance of ensuring universal access to top-notch healthcare services without individuals experiencing financial burdens.

To achieve these objectives, the strategy involves extending accessibility, enhancing service quality, and implementing cost-cutting measures throughout the healthcare sector. The policy also recognizes the importance of the Sustainable Development Targets and incorporates a predefined set of quantifiable goals with specific timelines.

Key Principles of National Health Policy 

The foundational principles of the National Health Policy are articulated as follows:

1. Professionalism, Integrity, and Ethics: The policy commits to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethics in healthcare delivery. It aims to maintain these standards globally through a reliable, accountable, and transparent regulatory framework.
2. Equity: In order to assist the most disadvantaged, the policy focuses on reducing inequities. This involves eliminating injustices related to factors such as gender, caste, poverty, disability, and social exclusion, as well as overcoming physical barriers. Increased investments and financial protection are deemed necessary for individuals facing significant health challenges.
3. Affordability: As healthcare costs rise, prioritizing affordability becomes paramount. The policy deems household healthcare expenses exceeding certain thresholds as unacceptable, defining catastrophic costs as those exceeding 10% of total monthly consumption costs or 40% of monthly non-food fees.
4. Universality: The policy advocates for a healthcare system free from social, economic, or health-related exclusions. Processes and services are designed to meet the needs of every individual, including those belonging to special groups.
5. Quality of Care: The emphasis is on delivering gender-sensitive, secure, efficient, and practical healthcare services with respect and privacy. Establishing and disseminating health standards and medical guidelines at every facility level, along with a system to ensure their uncompromised quality, is crucial.
6. Accountability: This involves taking financial and performance responsibility, ensuring transparency in decision-making, and eradicating corruption in both public and private healthcare systems.
7. Inclusive Partnerships: A multi-stakeholder approach is deemed essential to involve and engage non-health ministries and communities. Collaborations with academic institutions, non-profit organizations, and the healthcare sector are integral to this strategy.
8. Pluralism: Access to AYUSH care providers, based on locally verified and documented methods, is advocated. The government’s support for research and development in these systems, along with their integration, aims to enhance their contribution to national health goals.
9. Decentralization: Decision-making is recommended to be decentralized in alignment with institutional capabilities and practical considerations. Encouraging community involvement in health planning processes is highlighted.
10. Adaptability and Dynamism: The policy envisions a healthcare system that continuously evolves based on new knowledge, evidence, and lessons learned from local, national, and international knowledge partners.

Initiatives Taken to Boost the Prospects of National Health Policy 

Measures taken to enhance the implementation of the National Health Policy include:

1. Increase in Health Spending: The government aims to raise health spending as a percentage of GDP from the current 1.15% to 2.5% by 2025.
2. State Sector Health Spending: By 2020, the allocation for health spending in the state sector increased to over 8% of the budget.
3. Reduction in Catastrophic Health Expenses: The goal is to reduce, by 25% by 2025, the proportion of households facing catastrophic health expenses compared to the existing levels.
4. Establishment of Digital Information Database: By 2020, a comprehensive digital information database, encompassing health system components at the district level, was established.
5. Enhanced Public Health Surveillance Systems: By 2020, improved public health surveillance systems and registries for significant diseases were introduced.
6. Creation of National Health Information Network: By 2025, the authorities aim to establish the National Health Information Network and Health Information Exchanges, constituting a federated integrated architecture for health information.
7. Compliance with IPHS Requirements: By 2020, the government ensured the availability of paramedics and doctors in high-priority districts in accordance with Indian Public Health Standard (IPHS) requirements.
8. Increased Community Health Volunteers: By 2025, there will be a higher presence of community health volunteers in high-priority regions compared to the population, meeting IPHS standards.
9. Establishment of Primary and Secondary Care Facilities: By 2025, primary and secondary care facilities are planned to be established in high-priority districts, adhering to specified standards.

Health System’s Estimated Performance in Upcoming Years

By 2025, the following parameters are expected to be fulfilled: 

1. Increased Utilization of Public Health Facilities: Public health facilities are expected to be utilized at least 50% more frequently than the current rate.
2. Prenatal Care and Skilled Attendance at Birth: Prenatal care coverage is projected to remain above 90%, with skilled attendance at birthing also exceeding 90%.
3. Immunization Coverage: More than 90% of newborns are anticipated to be fully immunized by the age of 1.
4. Family Planning Needs: By 2025, it is targeted to meet over 90% of family planning needs at both the national and sub-national levels.
5. Control of Known Illnesses: Approximately 80% of known illnesses, such as hypertension and diabetes, are expected to be under control at the household level.

Expected Impact on Health Status Due to Applicability of the National Health Policy

1. Increased Life Expectancy: The average life expectancy is projected to increase from 67.5 to 70 years by 2025.
2. Regular Tracking of Daily Index: A systematic tracking system for the Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY) Index will be established by 2022, providing insights into diseases and their trends in essential categories.
3. Total Fertility Rate (TFR) Reduction: The national and sub-national levels aim to reduce the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) to 2.1 by 2025.
4. Achievement of Target for HIV/AIDS: By 2020, the goal is to achieve the global 90:90:90 target for HIV/AIDS, ensuring that 90% of people with HIV are aware of their status, 90% diagnosed receive sustained anti-retroviral therapy, and 90% of those receiving treatment achieve viral suppression.
5. Eradication of Specific Diseases: Eradication statuses for leprosy, Kala-Azar, and lymphatic filariasis are expected to be reached and maintained by 2018 and 2017, respectively.
6. Tuberculosis Cure Rate and Eradication: The target is to achieve and maintain an 85% or higher cure rate for tuberculosis in newly diagnosed patients with positive sputum, as well as to reduce the frequency of new cases and achieve an eradication status by 2025.

Current Priorities of the National Health Policy

Increased Public Health Spending: The National Health Policy aims to raise total public health spending to 2.5% of the nation’s GDP within a specified timeframe, emphasizing the need for adequate investments.

Collaborative Work in Priority Areas: The policy identifies seven key areas of highest priority for promoting a healthy lifestyle, encompassing preventive and promotional health efforts. These areas include:

1. The Clean India Campaign
2. Promotion of balanced and nutritious diets along with regular exercise
3. Addressing issues related to alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, and other drug usage
4. Yatri Suraksha program to prevent fatalities from rail and automobile accidents
5. Nirbhaya Nari initiative combating gender-based violence
6. Ensuring enhanced safety and reduced stress at all workplaces
7. Lowering overall air pollution both indoors and outdoors

Conclusion

The National Health Policy, approved by the Union Cabinet on March 15, 2017, outlines significant priorities and goals for the health sector. It underscores the theoretical target of increasing public health spending to 2.5% of the GDP within a specified timeframe. Additionally, collaborative efforts are also prescribed to enhance healthcare efficiency. 

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