NEW DELHI: The Health and Family Welfare and the Panchayati Raj Ministries have stressed on the need for inter-sectoral convergence for effective implementation of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).

To institutionalise community-led action for health, the Mission seeks to amend the laws to fully empower local bodies for effective management of the health system.

In a joint letter to the stakeholders, Health and Family Welfare and Panchayati Raj Secretaries have proposed an early State-level meeting between the two departments to evolve common guidelines for greater convergence between them so as to expedite the Mission's implementation.

Describing the role of the panchayats as critical, not only to ensure need-based service delivery but also for reaching out to vulnerable groups, the letter said the meeting would also improve access to quality health services for the rural poor and promote community ownership, decentralised and need-based planning.

The Mission would try to transfer funds, functionaries and functions to the panchayati raj institutions.

Concerted efforts, with the involvement of NGOs and other resource institutions, would be made to build capacities of elected representatives for improved management of the health system.

Devolution of power

The inter-sectoral convergence would include devolution of substantial powers and programmes to panchayats in health and sanitation by the State Governments.

A District Rural Health Mission that would prepare the district health plan would also be set up.

It envisages management of health institutions by PRIs and selection of the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) with the involvement of the Panchayats.

The village health team, comprising Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM), ASHA, anganwadi workers and self-help group members would be responsible for preparing the village health plan and its implementation.

In the first year of the Mission, Rs. 10,000 for a sub-centre had been sanctioned to all sub-centres in the country.

The account is to be opened in the joint names of the ANM and the village sarpanch and the funds would be used for operationalising the sub-centres.

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