From 2002 to 2017, the changes

in National Health Policy

Shubhau Pal
 SIMILARITIES
• The National Health Policy (NHP), released by
health and family welfare minister JP Nadda
on 16 March, 2017, is somewhat similar to the
national health policy released in 2002 with
similar goals and targets.
• Some targets which were fixed to be fulfilled
by 2010, were now given a new date, in the
NHP 2017
• .
National Health Policy 2017: Current Rates &
Targets
 DISSIMILARITIES- The Positives
• The new policy recognizes the shifting
epidemiology of diseases, and put special
focus on non- communicable diseases such as
cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, along
with communicable diseases. Another new
focus area is the intent to make primary
healthcare services more comprehensive.
 DISSIMILARITIES- The Positives
• NHP 2017 envisages widening the net of basic
healthcare services delivered through primary
healthcare. It proposes inclusion of geriatric
healthcare, palliative care and rehabilitative care
services. The policy advocates allocating a major
proportion (up to two-thirds or more) of
resources to primary care, followed by secondary
and tertiary care. It also aspires to provide at the
district level most of the secondary care which is
currently provided at a medical college hospital.
 DISSIMILARITIES- The Positives
• NHP 2017 targets to increase in the use of public
health facilities by 50% from current levels by
2025 and making two beds available per 1,000
population.
• NHP 2017 envisages private sector collaboration
for strategic purchasing, capacity building, skill
development programmes, awareness
generation, and developing sustainable networks
for communities to strengthen mental health
services.
 DISSIMILARITIES- The Negative
• NHP 2002 targeted the government’s intent to
increase public expenditure on healthcare to
2-3% of GDP. NHP 2017 has brought down the
target of reaching public health expenditure of
2.5% of GDP by 2025.