New Delhi, Feb 2: The International Advisory Panel (IAP) on National Rural Health Mission today attributed better health indicators to work accomplished under various components of NRHM.
 This was stated by Prof Jeffery D Sachs of Earth Institute, Columbia, who headed the panel, and other experts who held meeting with the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and officials of the ministry here. 
 According to a statement, Azad addressing the meeting said that NRHM has made substantial progress in its journey of providing accessible, equitable and affordable health care ever since its launch in 2005.
 “India’s steady three point decline in the IMR both in 2009 and 2010 and the fact that decline in rural IMR is greater than the decline in Urban IMR is noteworthy,” he said.
 Azad said that with Prime Minister having announced focus on Health in 12th plan, the Health Ministry has proposed several new initiatives like supply of free generic drugs to all patients attending public health facilities throughout the country in attempt to achieve universal health care.
 “Up-gradation and strengthening of District Hospitals to provide not only maternal & child health services but also health care for communicable and non communicable diseases is also high on the agenda,” Azad said.
 “The next phase of the NRHM is set to capitalize on this momentum and, with the proposed National Urban Health Mission, we hope to accelerate our journey towards the National Health Goals”, the Minister added.
 Prof Jeffery Sachs said they are piloting five model districts - one each in Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan, where programs would be implemented in a focused and integrated manner.

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