Comment on child health care and the reproductive programmes run by the government for the improvement of an individual’s reproductive health.
Answers
Answer:
The reproductive and child healthcare programme was started in October 1997. It was established with the objective of reducing the maternal, infant and child mortality rates. It was established to make people aware of the healthy reproductive practices, the benefits of family planning, and the use of contraceptives.
Answer:
India has a unique opportunity now to improve the health and nutritional status of its people. The country is in a position to invest increasing amounts of resources in social sectors as a result of economic progress. With recognition of the importance of health and nutrition for national development, the prospects for improved and equitable health and nutrition are now better than they have ever been.
Reproductive health, and child health and nutrition are core priorities for any country, more so for India with the world’s greatest burden of maternal, newborn, and child deaths. In 2008, 1·8 million children (age <5 years), including 1 million neonates, died,1 and 68 000 mothers died.2 India also has the greatest number of undernourished children, with about 52 million stunted children (age <5 years).3 Progress in reproductive health, and child health and nutrition does not compare favourably with some other countries in Asia that gained independence at about the same time as India (webappendix p 7). India still has a long way to go to reach its declared goals (table 1).3–6 We review the current situation of reproductive health, and child health and nutrition in India, identify policy and programmatic gaps, and suggest a way forward. To maintain focus on the main themes, we do not cover some equally important and related issues such as child development and micronutrient malnutrition