‘Women and kids’ issues must be given priority’

LUCKNOW: A panel discussion was organised on Monday to mark the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, focusing on accelerating progress on UHC in the state.

Former president of Association of Surgeons of India and current president of Lucknow College of Surgeons Prof Rama Kant said that the Indian government was committed to achieve UHC in its national health policy-2017 (NHP-2017).

Government of India says, “UHC will be obligatory on the part of the state to provide adequate food, appropriate medical care, safe drinking water, proper sanitation, education and healthrelated information for good health. The state will be responsible for ensuring and guaranteeing UHC for its citizens.”

More targets enshrined in NHP 2017 committed UP state government to reduce tobacco use by 15% by 2020 and 30% by 2025, reduce stunting of under five malnourished children by 40% by 2025; and ensure access to safe water and sanitation to all by 2020, said Rahul Dwivedi of Vote For Health campaign.

Prof Rama Kant said NHP 2017 acknowledged that maternal and child survival was a mirror that reflected the entire spectrum of social development. “Hence it is necessary that to achieve the goals, issues of women and children are given priority,” he said.

Experts said NHP 2017 promised to reduce infant mortality rate (IMR) to 28 by 2019 and only 25 months were left to reach this target. In India, IMR currently is 41 (2015-2016) and in UP, IMR is 64 (2015-2016). More efforts are needed across the state and country so that the targets can be met.

PROF RAMA KANT SAID NATIONAL HEALTH POLICY 2017 ACKNOWLEDGED THAT MATERNAL AND CHILD SURVIVAL WAS A MIRROR THAT REFLECTED SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT