NATIONAL HEALTH POLICY

INTRODUCTION
HEALTH:
A state of complete physical, mental and social well being and not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity.
POLICY:
Policy is a system, which provides the logical framework and rationality of decision
making for the achievements of intended objectives.
HEALTH POLICY:
Health policy of a nation is its strategy for controlling and optimizing the social uses of its
health knowledge and health resources.
Post independent India in its constitution has laid stress on four critical concepts: Equity, Freedom,
Justice and Dignity of the individual.
India has ventured to raise the standard of living and level of nutrition for elimination of ill health,
ignorance and poverty.
The 30th World Health Assembly in May 1977 resolved
“The main social target of governments and WHO in the coming decades should be the
attainment by all citizens of the world by the year 2000 AD of a level of health that will permit
them to lead a socially and economically productive life.’’ HEALTH FOR ALL BY 2000 AD

The Joint WHO – UNICEF international conference in 1978 at Alma-Ata (USSR) declared
that: “the existing gross inequalities in the status of health of people particularly between
developed and developing countries as well as within the countries is politically, socially and
economically unacceptable.”
Alma-Ata Declaration called on all the governments to formulate National Health Policies
according to their own circumstances, to launch and sustain primary health care as a part of
national health system
The Alma-Ata conference called for acceptance of the WHO goal of HEALTH FOR ALL by 2000
AD and ‘Primary Health Care’ as a way to achieve Health For All
ALMA –ATA DECLARATION
• Health is a fundamental human right and that the attainment of the highest possible
level of health is a most important worldwide social goal.
• The existing gross inequality in the health status of the people particularly between
developed and developing countries is politically, socially and economically
unacceptable.
• Economic and social development, based on a new international economic order is
of basic importance to the fullest attainment of health for all.
The people have the right and duty to participate individually and collectively in the planning and
implementation of their health care.
Government have a responsibility for the health of their people which can be fulfilled only by the
provision of adequate health and social measures.
All government should formulate national policies, strategies and plans of action to launch and
sustain primary health care.
All countries should cooperate in a spirit of partnership and service to ensure PHC for all people.
An acceptable level of health for all the people of the world by the year 2000 can be attained
through a further and better use of the world’s resources.
THE ALMA-ATA CONFERENCE defined that “Primary health care is an essential health
care based on practical, scientifically sound and socially acceptable methods and technology, made
universally accessible to individual and families in the community, through their full participation
and at a cost that the community and the country can afford”.
Principles of Primary Health Care
1. Equitable distribution
2. Community participation.
3. Inter-sectoral coordination
4. Appropriate technology
Equitable distribution
1. Health services must be shared equally by all irrespective of their ability to pay.
2. At present most of the health services are mainly concentrated in the major towns and cities
resulting in inequality of care to the people in rural areas.
Community participation
There must be a continuing effort to secure meaningful involvement of the community in the
planning, implementation and maintenance of health services, besides maximum reliance on local
resources such as manpower, money and materials
Intersectoral coordination
“Primary health care involves in addition to the health sector, all related sectors and aspects
of national and community development, in particular agriculture, animal husbandry, food,
industry, education, housing, public works, communication and others sectors".
Appropriate technology
“Technology that is scientifically sound, adaptable to local needs, and acceptable to those
who apply it and those for whom it is used, and that can be maintained by the people themselves
in keeping with the principle of self reliance with the resources the community and country can
afford"
National strategy for health for all
• As a signatory to alma- ata declaration in 1978, the Govt. Of India was committed to take
steps to provide HFA to its citizens.
• In this connection two important reports appeared:
• Report of study group on “HEALTH FOR ALL – on alternative strategy” sponsored by
Indian council of social science research (ICSSR) and Indian council of medical research
(ICMR)
• Reports of working group on “HEALTH FOR ALL by 2000 A.D.’’ sponsored by Ministry
of health and family welfare, Govt. Of India.
• This health policy forms a basis of The National Health Policy Formulated By Ministry Of
Health And Family Welfare, Govt . Of India In 1983.
1. NATIONAL HEALTH POLICY
Blue print for future actions related to health
AIMS
• Elimination of poverty
• Elimination of illiteracy
• Elimination of ill-health
• Elimination of inequality
NATIONAL HEALTH POLICY- 1983
• India had its first national health policy in 1983 i.e. 36 years after independence.
• In the circumstances then prevailing, this policy provided the initiatives like:
a) Comprehensive health care linking with extension and health education.
b) Intermediation by health volunteers
c) Decentralisation to reduce burden of high level referral system
d) To make government facility limited to eligible poor, by private investment for patients
who can pay.
NATIONAL HEALTH POLICY 1983
suggested the :
• necessity of complete integration of all plans for human development with socio economic
development.
• Health related sectors like Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture, Rural development, education,
Social Welfare, Housing, Water supply and conservation of environment were integrated
for joint venture.
• National health policy 1983 stressed the need for providing primary health care with special
emphasis on prevention , promotion and rehabilitation aspects.
• Its emphasis is on team approach, ban on private practice by health professionals and use
of our large stock of health manpower from alternative system of medicine like Ayurveda,
Unani, Sidda, Homoeopathy, Yoga and Naturopathy.
It suggested Planned time bound attention to the following
1. Nutrition, prevention of food adulteration.
2. Mainatince of quality of drug
3. Water supply and sanitation
4. Environmental protection
5. Immunisation Programme
6. Maternal and Child Health Services
7. School Health Programme
8. Occupational Health
It also suggested the need for meeting National requirements of life saving drugs and vaccines
by quality control, economic packages practice, reduction in unit cost of medicine and well
considered health insurance schemes to allow community to share the cost of the services, in
keeping with the paying capacity.
Key elements OF NHP 1983
1. Creation of awareness of health problems in the community and means to solve the
problems by the community.
2. Supply of safe drinking water and basic sanitation using technologies that people can
afford.
3. Reduction of existing imbalance in health services by concentrating more on the rural
health infrastructure.
4. Establishing of dynamic health management information system to support health
planning and health program implementation.
5. Provision of legislative support to health protection and promotion.
6. Concerned actions to combat wide spread malnutrition.
7. Research in alternative method of health care delivery and low-cost health technologies.
Other strategies of NHP 1983
• Prohibition of private practice of government doctors
• Prohibition of exploitation of services by AYUSH system of medicine
• Health education programmes to help people to have healthful living habits
• Add nutrition promotion and population control technique in school curriculum
• Universal adult literacy education
• Promotion of herbal gardening and health industry to produce drugs,etc.
• Start state wise health insurance schemes for raising additional funds for health
• Promotion of basic and applied research
• Training of all categories of medical personnel
Factors interfering with the progress towards health for all
• Insufficient political commitment to the implementation on Health for All.
• Failure to achieve equity in access to all primary health care elements.
• The continuing low status of women.
• Slow socio-economic development.
• Difficulty in achieving intersectoral action for health.
• Unbalanced distribution of and weak support for human resources.
NATIONAL HEALTH POLICY 2002
The main objective of National Health Policy 2002 is to achieve acceptable standard of good health
amongst the general population of the country.
Objectives:
• Achieving an acceptable standard of good health of Indian Population.
• Decentralizing public health system by upgrading infrastructure in existing institutions.
• Ensuring a more equitable access to health service across the social and geographical
expanse of India.
• Enhancing the contribution of private sector in providing health service for people who can
afford to pay.
• Emphasizing rational use of drugs.
• Increasing access to tried systems of Traditional Medicine
Other objectives
• Increase access to health services by decentralizing public health services
• Establishing new health infrastructure
• Emphasizing primary level of health care
• Promoting rational use of drugs
• Increase primary health investment
• Increase Private sector Practice Partnership
POLICY PRESCRIPTIONS Or Key Components

1. Financial Resources
2. Equity
3. Delivery Of National Public Health Programs:
4. The state of public health infrastructure:
5. Extending public health services:
6. Role of local self- Government Institutions
7. Norms of Health care Professional: Indian Medical council Act and Indian Nursing Council
Act
8. Education of Health care Professional
9. Need for specialists in 'Public Health'and 'Family Medicine’
10. Nursing personnel
11. Use of Generic drugs and
12. Urban health: Urban Community Health Centre
13. First Tier:-Primary centre cover 1 Lakh population
• It functions as OPD facilities.
• It provides essential drugs.
• It will carry out national health programmers

-Second Tier:-

General Hospital a referral to primary centre provides the care.

• The policy recommends a fully equipped hub-spoke trauma care network to reduce
accident mortality.
13. Mental health:
14. Information Education and Communication: School children , and interpersonal
communication by folk and traditional media to bring about behavioral change.
15. Health research
16. Role of private sector
17. Role of civil Society
18. National Disease Surveillance Network:
19. Health statistics:
20.Women's health:
21.Medical Ethics:
22.Enforcement of Quality Standards for food and Drugs
23.Regulation of standards in paramedical disciplines:
24. Environmental & Occupational Health:
25.Providing Medical Facilities to Users from Overseas
(Health Tourism)
NHP- 2017
INTRODUCTION
The National Health Policy of 1983 and the national policy of 2002 have served well in
guiding the approach for the health sector in five year plans.
NHP 2017 builds on the progress made since the last NHP 2002. the developments have
been captured in the document “Backdrop to National Health Policy 2017- situational
analysis”, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
AIM OF NHP 2017
“To inform, clarify, strengthen and prioritize the role of government in shaping health
systems in all its dimensions- investments in health , organization of healthcare services,
prevention of diseases and promotion of good health through cross sectoral actions, access
to technologies, developing human resources, encouraging medical pluralism, building
knowledge base, developing better financial protection strategies, strengthening regulation
and health assurance”.
GOAL of NHP
✓ Attainment of the highest possible level of health and well being for all at all ages, through
a preventive and promotive health care orientation in all developmental policies
✓ Universal access to good quality health care services without anyone having to face
financial hardship as a consequence.
✓ The policy also recognizes the importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
✓ The broad principles of the policy
✓ Professionalism, Integrity and Ethics
✓ Equity
✓ Affordability
✓ Universality
✓ Patient Centered & Quality of Care
✓ Accountability and pluralism
✓ Decentralization
✓ Inclusive partnership.

OBJECTIVES OF NHP 2017

 • Improve health status through concerted policy action in all sectors and expand preventive,
promotive, curative, palliative and rehabilitative services provided through the public
health sector with focus on quality.
• Universal health coverage
• Reinforcing trust in public health coverage
• Align the growth of private sector with public health goals
Specific quantitative goals and objectives
1. Health status & programme impact-Life Expectancy and healthy life.
a) Increase Life Expectancy at birth from 67.5 to 70 by 2025.
b) Establish regular tracking of Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY) Index as a
measure of burden of disease and its trends by major categories by 2022.
c) Reduction of TFR to 2.1 at national and sub-national level by 2025.
2.Mortality by Age and/ or cause
a) Reduce Under Five Mortality to 23 by 2025 and MMR from current levels to 100
by 2020.
b) Reduce infant mortality rate to 28 by 2019.
c) Reduce neo-natal mortality to 16 and still birth rate to “single digit” by 2025.
3. Reduction of disease prevalence/incidence
a) Achieve global target of 2020 which is also termed as target of 90:90:90, for
HIV/AIDS i.e., 90% of all people living with HIV know their HIV status, - 90% of
all people diagnosed with HIV infection receive sustained antiretroviral therapy and
90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression.
b) Achieve and maintain elimination status of Leprosy by 2018, Kala-Azar by 2017 and
Lymphatic Filariasis in endemic pockets by 2017.
c) To achieve and maintain a cure rate of >85% in new sputum positive patients for TB
and reduce incidence of new cases, to reach elimination status by 2025.
d) To reduce the prevalence of blindness to 0.25/ 1000 by 2025 and disease burden by
one third from current levels.
e) To reduce premature mortality from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes or
chronic respiratory diseases by 25% by 2025.
4. Health Systems performance
1. Coverage of health services
a) Increase utilization of public health facilities by 50% by 2025
b) Antenatal care coverage to be sustained above 90% and skilled attendance
at birth above 90 by 2025
c) More than 90% of immunized
2. Health finance
a) Increase health expenditure by Government as a percentage of GDP from
the existing 1.1 5 % to 2.5 % by 2025.
b) Increase State sector health spending to > 8% of their budget by 2020.
c) Decrease in proportion of households facing catastrophic health
expenditure from the current levels by 25%, by 2025.
3. Health Infrastructure and Human Resource
a) Ensure availability of paramedics and doctors as per Indian Public Health
Standard (IPHS) norm in high priority districts by 2020.
b) Increase community health volunteers to population ratio as per IPHS
norm, in high priority districts by 2025.
c) Establish primary and secondary care facility as per norm s in high priority
districts (population as well as time to reach norms) by 2025.
4. Health Management Information
a) Ensure district - level electronic database of information on health system
components by 2020.
b) Strengthen the health surveillance system and establish registries for
diseases of public health importance by 2020.
c) Establish federated integrated health information architecture, Health
Information Exchanges and National Health Information Network by
2025.
POLICY THRUST
• Ensuring Adequate Investment
• Preventive and promotive health
• Organization of public health care delivery
• Women’s health and gender mainstreaming
• Gender based violence
• Supportive supervision
• Emergency care and disaster preparedness
• Mainstreaming the potential of AYUSH
• Tertiary care services
• Human resources for health
• Financing of health care
• Collaboration with non-governmental sector
• Regulatory framework
• Vaccine safety
• Medical technologies
• Availability of drugs and medical devices
• Digital health technology ecosystem
• Application of digital health
• Leveraging digital tools for AYUSH
• Health surveys
• Health research
 SPECIAL LAWS AND ORDINANCE RELATED TO OLDER PEOPLE
Ageing In India
India is a vast country both in terms of area as well as population. With 28 State & 7 Union
Territories ,It has a total area of 3,288,000 square kilometers. Its Total population as on 2011 1.21
billion , Male 623.7 million (51.54%) , Female 586.5 million (48.46%) . Sex ratio : 940 females
per 1,000 males. Currently. India's 50% population is below the age of 25.
• India is gradually undergoing a demographic change. With decline in fertility and mortality
rates accompanied by an improvement in child survival and increased life expectancy, a
significant feature of demographic change is the progressive increase in the number of
elderly persons
• Elderly are the most ignored and neglected segment
The number of older people is growing
As of 2019, over 139 million people living in India are aged over 60 which is over 10% of the
country’s total population. The proportion of older people is expected to almost double to 19.5%
in 2050 with 319 million people aged over 60. This means that every 1 in 5 Indians is likely to be
a senior citizen.

Older people need care and support

An ageing population increases the demand for health services. Older people suffer from both
degenerative and communicable diseases due to the ageing of the body’s immune system. The
leading causes of morbidity are infections, while visual impairment, difficulty in walking,
chewing, hearing, osteoporosis, arthritis and incontinence are other common health-related
problems.

Older people struggle with poverty

India is rated 130th out of 189 countries on the latest United Nations Human Development Index
Ranking in 2018. Only a quarter of people (24.1%) older than the statutory pensionable age in
India receive an old-age pension (contributory, noncontributory or both). Over time, there will be
fewer and fewer working-age people to provide economic support during old age with the old-
age dependency ratio expected to double in the next few decades.
Key facts

2019 2050

Population aged 60 and above (total) 139,610,000 319,918,000

Population aged 60 and above (% of total population) 10.1 19.5

Older women aged 60+ (% of total population) 5.15 10

Life expectancy (males) 68.11 73.61

Life expectancy (females) 70.53 77.25

Old-Age Dependency Ratio (Age 65+ / Age 15-64) 9.8 20.3

Rural older people (% of total population) 3.86

Urban older people (% of total population) 1.60

Older persons living alone aged 60 and above (% of total 4.9

population aged 60+)

Feminization of Ageing
• 53% Female , 47% Male : Aged in India
• WHO's representative to India Dr Nata Menabde : She said, "Women's longer life-spans
compared to men, combined with the fact that men tend to marry women younger than
themselves, mean that the number of widows will increase rapidly."
• She added, "Being a male-dominated society and given the fact that women in India rely
on their husbands for the provision of economic resources and social status, a large
percentage of older women are at risk of dependency, isolation, and/or dire poverty and
neglect."
Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing 1982
UN General Assembly convened the First World Assembly on Ageing in 1982, which
produced a 62-point “Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing”. It called for specific
action on such issues as health and nutrition, protecting elderly consumers, housing and
 environment, family, social welfare, income security and employment, education, and the
collection and analysis of research data.
UNITED NATION
In 1991, the General Assembly adopted the United Nations Principles for Older Persons,
enumerating 18 entitlements for older persons — relating to Independence, Participation, Care,
Self-fulfillment and Dignity. The following year, the International Conference on Ageing met to
follow-up on the Plan of Action, adopting a Proclamation on Ageing. Following the Conference's
recommendation, the UN General Assembly declared 1999 the International Year of Older
Persons.
Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing 2002 (MIPAA)
• MIPAA was adopted at the United Nations Second World Assembly on Ageing held in
Madrid in 2002. Subsequently, the General Assembly endorsed the Plan on December 2002
during its 57th session.
• The Second World Assembly on Ageing brought together delegates from more than 160
Governments, intergovernmental institutions and NGOs to respond to the opportunities and
challenges of population ageing.
• MIPAA responds to the opportunities and challenges of population ageing and promotes
the development of a ‘Society for all Ages’.
• It calls on Governments to integrate the rights and needs of older persons into national and
international, economic and social development policies.
• The aim is "to ensure that persons everywhere are able to age with security and dignity and
to continue to participate in their societies as citizens with full rights"
• MIPA is a practical tool to assist policymakers to focus on the key priorities associated
with population ageing.
• It addresses a wide range of issues with implications for the lives of older people around
the world including:
• social protection, health, urbanization, labour, education, nutrition, training of carers,
housing, infrastructure, and images of ageing.
MIPAA: The three priority directions outlined in the Plan are
1. Older persons and development;
2. Advancing health and well-being into old age;
3. Ensuring enabling and supportive environments.
Human Rights of Senior Citizens
• An adequate standard of living, including adequate food, shelter and clothing.
• Adequate social security, assistance and protection
• Freedom from discrimination based on age or any other status, in all aspects of life
including employment and access to housing, heath care and social services
• The highest possible standard of health
• Be treated with dignity
• Protection from neglect and all types of physical or mental abuse
• Full and effective participate in decision-making concerning their well-being
Indian Constitution
✓ Well-being of older persons has been mandated in the Constitution of India. Article 41, a
Directive Principle of State Policy, has directed that the State shall, within the limits of its
economic capacity and development, make effective provision for securing the right of
public assistance in cases of old age. There are other provisions, too, which direct the State
to improve the quality of life of its citizens. Right to equality has been guaranteed by the
Constitution as a Fundamental Right. These provisions apply equally to older persons.
Social security has been made the concurrent responsibility of the Central and State
Governments.
✓ The Indian government after many years of debate finally declared the National Policy of
the Older Persons in January 1999, the International Year of the Older Persons. The policy
highlights the rising elderly population and an urgent need to understand and deal with the
medical, psychological and socio-economic problems faced by the elderly. However what
the policy did emphasize was on the dominant role the non governmental organizations
should play to assist the government in bringing forth a society where the needs and the
priorities of the elderly are taken into account. It recognized the Older Persons as a
Resource of the Country.
 ✓ In view of changing needs of Senior Citizens over the past decade, Government decided to
review this Policy and got it reviewed by a Review Committee, which has submitted
Revised National Policy for Senior Citizens,2011 (NPSC, 2011) to Minister of Social
Justice & Empowerment on 30-3-11.
National Policy of the Older Persons (NPOP) 1999
• The National Policy Statement includes the following
• Ensuring the well-being of the elderly so that they do not become marginalised,
unprotected or ignored
• Protection on various fronts like financial security, health care, shelter and welfare,
including protection against abuse and exploitation
• Ensuring for the elderly, an equitable share in the benefits of development as well as
addressing the neglect of elderly women on three counts viz. age, widowhood and gender
• Promoting an age-integrated society by adopting mechanisms for improving inter-
generational ties
• Considering the elderly as a resource by advocating their inclusion within the family,
community and society
• Viewing the elderly as an agency which needs to be empowered, with regard to their voice
and representation
• Recognizing the need for expansion of social and community services with universal
accessibility
The salient features of the NPOP
• FINANCIAL SECURITY / Income
• HEALTHCARE AND NUTRITION
• EDUCATION  WELFARE
• PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY
• Shelter / Housing
• Basic facilities
• NGOs
• Research & Training
• Implementation
Role of Government
• The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment As nodal ministry
• A separate bureau of older persons will be set up
• An Inter-Ministerial Committee will coordinate matters relating to implementation
• States will be encouraged to set up separate Directorates of Older Persons and set up
machinery for coordination and monitoring
• State level council for senior citizens (quarterly reviews)
• Budgetary Provision
• Various Ministry Policy , Concession’s , Subsidy Laws and Act
Support from Civil Society
• Non Governmental Organisations
• Realizing the Potential (Rtd Professionals)
• Family
• Research
• Training of Man Power
• Media
Govt in coordination with senior citizens Assn
• An autonomous National Council for Older Persons headed by the Minister for Social
Justice and Empowerment
• Adequate representation will be given to non-official members representing Non-
Government Organisations, Academic Bodies, Media and Experts on Ageing issues from
different fields.
Role of Senior citizens
• An autonomous registered National Association of Older Persons (NAOPS)
• The Association will have National, State and District level offices and will choose its own
bearers.
• The Government will provide financial support to establish the National and State level
offices
• District level offices will be established by the Association from its own resources
Action Plan
Action plan for dissemination
❖ The policy will make a change in the lives of the senior citizens only if it is implemented.
Collaborative Action will be taken between different agencies
❖ Five year and Annual action plans will be prepared by each ministry to implement aspects
which concern them. Targets will be set within the framework of a time schedule.
Responsibility for implementation of action points will be specified.
❖ The planning commission and the finance ministry will facilitate budgetary provisions
required for implementation. The Annual report of each ministry will indicate progress
achieved during the year.
❖ Every three years a detailed review will be prepared by the nodal ministry on the
implementation of the National policy.
❖ Panchayat Raj institutions will be encouraged to participate in the implementation of the
national policy, address local levels issues and needs of the ageing and implement
programs for them.
❖ In order to ensure effective implementation of the policy at different levels, from time to
time the help of experts of public administration shall be taken to prepare the details of the
organizational setup for the implementation, coordination and monitoring of the policy.
Silver Inning Foundation
BUT Since 1999……..
❖ Now in 2013 nothing happened
❖ 1st oct 2013 Senior Citizens Policy was passed by Maharashtra Govt Cabinet , mandates
65yrs as ‘Senior Citizens’
National Policy on Senior Citizens (NPSC) 2011
❖ (Draft submitted to Union Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment – Govt. of India
in March 2011)
❖ Chairperson : Dr. Mrs . Mohini Giri
❖ Members : Mr. M.M. Sabharwal ,Mr. K.R. Gangadharan ,Dr. Sheilu Sreenivasan
❖ Member Secretary : Mr. P.P. Mitra Sub committees
NPSC 2011 :
Need
• 1/8th of the Worlds Elderly Population lives in India. Most of them will never retire in the
usual sense of the term and will continue to work as long as physically possible. Inevitably
though the disability to produce and earn will decline with age. The absence on savings
will result in sharp declining in living standards that for many can mean destitution.
Therefore this is the challenge of old age income security in India.
• As a result of the current ageing scenario, there is a need for all aspects of care for the
Oldest Old (80+ years) namely, socio economic, financial, health and shelter.
• Problems in any of these areas have an impact on the quality of life in old age and
healthcare when it is needed. Increase in life span also results in chronic functional
disabilities creating a need for assistance required by the Oldest Old to manage simple
chores.
• This policy looks at the increasing longevity of people and lack of care giving.
• Elderly Women Need Special Attention
• Rural Poor Need Special Attention
• Increasing advancement in technology
Policy Objectives
• Mainstream senior citizens, especially older women, and bring their concerns into the
national development debate with priority to implement mechanisms already set by
governments and supported by civil society and senior citizens associations.
• Promote the concept of “Ageing in Place” or ageing in own home, housing, income security
and homecare services, old age pension and access to healthcare insurance schemes and
other programmes and services to facilitate and sustain dignity in old age.
• The thrust of the policy would be preventive rather than cure.
• The policy will consider institutional care as the last resort. It recognises that care of senior
citizens has to remain vested in the family which would partner the community,
government and the private sector.
• Being a signatory to the Madrid Plan of Action and Barrier Free Framework it will work
towards an inclusive, barrier-free and age- friendly society.
 • Recognise that senior citizens are a valuable resource for the country and create an
environment that provides them with equal opportunities, protects their rights and enables
their full participation in society.
• Towards achievement of this directive, the policy visualises that the states will extend their
support for senior citizens living below the poverty line in urban and rural areas
• Long term savings instruments and credit activities will be promoted to reach both rural
and urban areas.
• Employment in income generating activities
• Support and assist organisations that provide counselling, career guidance and training
services.
• States will be advised to implement the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior
Citizens Act, 2007 and set up Tribunals so that elderly parents unable to maintain
themselves are not abandoned and neglected.
• States will set up homes with assisted living facilities for abandoned senior citizens in every
district of the country and there will be adequate budgetary support.
World Day’s
✓ 1st Oct International Day of Older Persons , since 1991
✓ 15th June World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, since 2012
✓ 21st Sep , World Alzheimer’s Day , since 2012
A Society for all Ages
“A society for all ages encompasses the goal of providing older persons with the opportunity
to continue contributing to society. To work towards this goal, it is necessary to remove
whatever excludes or discriminates against them” Silver Inning Foundation
 Journal

1.Public Health Policy of India and COVID-19: Diagnosis and

Prognosis of the Combating Response
Abstract

(1) Background: Society and public policy have been remained interwoven since the inception of
the modern state. Public health policy has been one of the important elements of the public
administration of the Government of India (GOI). In order to universalize healthcare facilities for
all, the GOI has formulated and implemented the national health policy (NHP). The latest NHP
(2017) has been focused on the “Health in All” approach. On the other hand, the ongoing pandemic
COVID-19 had left critical impacts on India’s health, healthcare system, and human security. The
paper’s main focus is to critically examine the existing healthcare facilities and the GOI’s response
to combat the COVID-19 apropos the NHP 2017. The paper suggests policy options that can be
adopted to prevent the further expansion of the pandemic and prepare the country for future health
emergency-like situations.

(2) Methods: Extensive literature search was done in various databases, such as Scopus, Web of
Science, Medline/PubMed, and google scholar search engines to gather relevant information in the
Indian context.

(3) Results: Notwithstanding the several combatting steps on a war-footing level, COVID-19 has
placed an extra burden over the already overstretched healthcare infrastructure. Consequently,
infected cases and deaths have been growing exponentially, making India stand in second place
among the top ten COVID-19-infected countries. (4) Conclusions: India needs to expand the public
healthcare system and enhance the expenditure as per the set goals in NHP-17 and WHO standards.
The private healthcare system has not been proved reliable during the emergency. Only the public
health system is suitable for the country wherein the population’s substantial size is rural and poor.

Sustainability 2021, 13(6), 3415; https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063415

2.COVID-19 pandemic and challenges for socio-economic issues, healthcare
and National Health Programs in India

Background and aims

The nationwide lockdown was imposed in India following novel coronavirus pandemic. In this
paper, we discuss socio-economic, health and National healthcare challenges following lockdown,
with focus on population belonging to low socio-economic stratum (SES).

Methods

A literature search was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. In addition, existing
guidelines including those by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, and
articles from several non-academic sources (e.g. news websites etc.) were accessed.

Results

While the nationwide lockdown has resulted in financial losses and has affected all segments of
society, the domino effect on health, healthcare and nutrition could possibly pose major setbacks
to previously gained successes of National health programs.

Conclusion

Apart from firm economic measures, all National Health Programs should be re-strengthened to
avert possible surge of communicable (apart from COVID19) and non-communicable diseases.
These efforts should be focussed on population belonging to low SES.

3.COVID-19: A STUDY OF ITS IMPACT WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO

MEDICO- LEGAL RIGHTS OF SENIOR CITIZENS

ABSTRACT

The Research topic under the captioned title is of essence. The Epidemic in the form of Covid-19
escaping from Chinese Laboratory in Vuyan engulfed most parts of the globe. The Medical Experts
consider among others the older people vulnerable to the virus. The Covid-19 virus has proved
itself to survive in all the temperatures casing doubt to natural emergence on one side and
obligation of China as a State under International Law responsible for Un-natural use of Lab &
Resources in germinating the virus, its escape causing loss of life irrespective of territorial areas
and/or race or religion. The Expert opinion world over is consensus on threat to senior citizens, in
the process, curtailing their freedom by confining them within four walls of residential enclosures.
Not only the right to freedom and other rights of Senior citizens is under challenge but even right
to medical care and due cremation in case of death is on denial mode. In Socio-Theological Society
like India these rights are indispensable. The senior citizens have Constitutional protection
generally among others in Articles 21 of the Constitution of India read specifically with other
Article 41 of the constitution requires the state to give public assistance to elderly people. Besides,
the statutory protection in State Legislations like Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior
Citizens, Act 2007. The Covid-19 has put senior citizens to risk and aggravated their health hazards
including the right to live. The Country responsible seems unconcerned, behaving like rouge, while
the country of residence has no cure known for the epidemic. Senior citizen is on test to survive or
suffer even in presence of national laws and global conventions/declarations. Accordingly, the
Research topic is deliberated by adopting doctrinal methodology and using both the primary and
secondary source of data for analysis and in arriving at conclusions and suggestions.

4.Law Relating To The Rights Of Senior Citizens In India-A Study

Khanak Agarwal

Abstract

"Matru Devo Bhav" and "Pitru Devo Bhav" are the Sanskrit phrases, which reflects the sentiments
to one's parents. Traditionally it was seen that elderly people were given love and respect but now
in the 21st-century world, the transformation of joint family to the nuclear family had created a
huge effect on their social lives which has caused emotional abuse, physical problems, financial
insecurity, lack of social security and social isolation.

India, like many other countries, is heading towards the phenomenon of population aging.
Improved health care facilities, awareness, and spread of life-saving drugs coupled with
socioeconomic progress have resulted in increase in the number of aged people. The Indian aged
population which is currently the second largest in the world has raised from 942.2 million in 1994
to 1.36 billion in 2019. The rising population of aged has become challenging for the government
to face the issues and problems of it.
The Government of India has taken various legal steps in order to narrow down the effects of
consequences through Acts, policies, schemes and programs but still there is a large number of
older people whom these services were not reached or available. It is because most of the elder
people didn’t know about it. Some of them working in the public sector, will get pension on a
regular basis but there are a huge number of older people working in the unorganized sector where
there is no such provision for pension. So, the Indian government should lay more emphasis on
the concept of “Pension for All”.

REFRENCES
• Alma-Ata, 1978- Primary Health Care :WHO, UNICEF.
• Government of India, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Annual Report 2001-2002.
• K.J. National Health Programs of India. 11th Edition, 2014.
• K.Park Park’s Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 23rd Edition,
• Prabhakara GN Policies and Programmes of Health in India. 1st Edition, 2005. 104

Journal refernce
1.Priya Gauttam et al, “Public Health Policy of India and COVID-19: Diagnosis and Prognosis of
the Combating Response”, published on 19 March 2021 in MDPI journal

2. Hema S.Gopalan, “COVID-19 pandemic and challenges for socio-economic issues, healthcare
and National Health Programs in India”, published on September–October 2020 in Diabetes &
Metabolic Syndrome: Clinical Research & Reviews
3. Arti Sharma, J.K.Mittal , “COVID-19: A STUDY OF ITS IMPACT WITH SPECIAL
REFERENCE TO MEDICO- LEGAL RIGHTS OF SENIOR CITIZENS”, published on 2021 in
PALARCH’S JOURNAL OF ARCHAEOLOGY OF EGYPT/EGYPTOLOGY

4. Khanak Agarwal, “Law Relating To The Rights Of Senior Citizens In India-A Study”, published
on 2021 in Turkish journal of computer and mathematics education