Cabinet approves signing, ratification of BIMST Convention

New Delhi, Sep 10(ANI): A Union Cabinet meeting on Thursday discussed topics, including the revamping of the National Rural Health Mission and approval for the signing and ratification of the BIMST (Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand) Convention.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said: "This convention will provide strong legal basis for cooperation among the law enforcement agencies of the BIMST member states. It will give a much needed thrust to the enforcement agencies of the BIMST member states which are Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand."

The proposal will be signed during the forthcoming BIMST Ministerial Conference.

On the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), Soni said: "The mission (National Rural Health Mission) now seeks to provide universal access to affordable and quality healthcare which is accountable and at the same time responsive to the needs of the people."

She said the Government would launch an annual health survey in some states to provide feedback on the impact of schemes underthe NRHM on health indicators like Maternal Mortality Rates and Total Fertility Rates.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in collaboration with the Registrar General of India, Ministry of Home Affairs will be conducting the survey and would compute the statistics, she added. (ANI)