Statement at Rajaya Sabha on NACP III and Unused Funds by the States

[Guest guest]

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

THIRD PHASE OF AIDS CONTROL

Rajya Sabha

National AIDS Control Programme-III (NACP-III) has commenced with

effect from 1st April 2007 with a three-pronged strategy prevention,

care & support including treatment and institutional strengthening.

Under the NACP-III, synergy with programmes under National Rural

Health Mission (NRHM) including Revised National Tuberculosis

Programme (RNTCP) and Reproductive & Child Health (RCH) programme has

been ensured. At district level, all activities will be implemented

by the District Health Society.

Services for HIV testing and counseling and other preventive measures

will be available under NACP-III in rural areas through NRHM set-up.

Antiretroviral treatment will be made available upto district or sub-

district level based on prevalence of HIV/AIDS and number of persons

on treatment.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Health &

Family Welfare, Smt. Panabaka Lakshmi in a written reply to a

question in the Rajya Sabha.

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UNUSED FUNDS BY THE STATES

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Rajya Sabha

The percentage increase in budget allocation for health sector during

2006-07 as compared to 2005-06 had been 21.87%.

Funds are allocated to States in the form of Grants-in-aid under

Health and Family Welfare in respect of the admissible activities

under National AIDS Control Programme (NACO) and the National Rural

Health Mission (NRHM). Besides these programmes, grant–in-aid is

also released under certain other programmes like Cancer, Mental

Health, etc., based on proposals received from State Governments.

Data on the extent of utilization of funds by states reveals that of

the eighteen States having weak public health indicators/weak

infrastructure, identified for special attention under the NRHM,

eight states viz., Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Himachal

Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Sikkim have utilized

more than 50% of allocated funds on Family Planning Programmes while

others have utilized funds of a lower order.

Steps initiated for better utilization of funds include inter-alia:

• Setting up of a Financial Management Group

(FMG) in the Ministry to oversee the release of funds, monitor

Utilization Certificates and Audit Reports

• Establishing State/District Level Programme

Management Units

• Augmentation of accounting manpower at the

level of PHCs.

• Regular monitoring by the Ministry for timely

completion of plan activities

• Issuing guidelines to states to facilitate

utilization for funds and proper maintenance of accounts.

• Conducting of training programme for skill

development and capacity building of personnel.

This information was given by the Minister for Health & Family

Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss in a written reply to a question in

the Rajya Sabha.