No formal assessment of NRHM done: Govt

New Delhi, Mar 16 (UNI) The government has done no formal assessment of the National Rural Health Mission which was launched in 2005-06, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Under NRHM Panchayati Raj Institutions own and manage health facilities, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Anbumoni Ramadoss said in a written reply.

Asked whether the PRIs face any constraints in respect to finances and expert health workers in implementing NRHM, Dr Ramadoss said NRHM provisions for flexible funds for the Panchayats through sanctioning untied funds to sub centres, funds to Rogi Kalyan Samities and Village and Sanitation Committees.

He said augumention of manpower is carried out at the grassroot level through ASHA, Additional ANMs at sub centres operating within the framework of PRIs. Besides, PRIs are to be fully involved in the preparation of village/ block and district health Action Plan.

He said inter-sectoral convergence with Total Sanitation Campaign, which is aimed at ensuring PRIs should be free from open defecation, all houses should have access to sanitary laterines, all schools and anganwadis should have toilet facilities, has been envisioned under NRHM.

UNI