NEET: Counselling for PG seats extended till 26th March

NEET: Counselling for PG seats extended till 26th March 

Registration of candidates for first round of counseling for PG seats is extended till evening of 26^th March, 2018. Candidates may visit the website (www.mcc.nic.in)for further details.

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Significant improvement in Healthcare Systems of States

Various independent surveys, including results of National Family Health Survey over a decade indicate significant improvement in healthcare systems of States as reflected in performance in key health indicators.

A performance Audit of Reproductive and Child Health under NRHM for the period 2011-12 to 2015-16 was conducted by CAG and findings (Report no.25 of 2017) are available in public domain at http://www.cag.gov.in/content/report-no25-2017-performance-audit-union-government-reproductive-and-child-health-under.

The Government also conducts annual Common Review Mission (CRM) to review the implementation of NHM. The CRM reports including of last three years are available in public domain at http://nhm.gov.in/monitoring/common-review-mission.html

Aspirational districts identified by NITI Aayog are being prioritized for all key health interventions under NHM including operationalization of Health and wellness Centres.

In financial year, 2017-18, against a target of 4000 Health and Wellness Centres, as on date, approval has been given for 4689 Health and Wellness Centres.

The Government has developed web based Health Management Information System (HMIS) to monitor the implementation of NHM. Presently, approx. 2 lakh health facilities (across all districts of the country) are uploading facility wise data on monthly basis and infrastructure data annually on HMIS web portal. Data are presently being made available to various stakeholders in the form of standard, customized and analytical reports etc. The StateGovernments from time to time are being requested to verify the veracity of data being uploaded on HMIS and monitor the performance of districts through HMIS.

Under the National Health Mission (NHM), the Central Government is supporting States/UTs to strengthen their healthcare systems including for provision of a host of free services including for maternal health, child health, adolescent health, family planning, universal immunisationprogramme, and for major diseases such as Tuberculosis, HIV/ AIDS, vector borne diseases such as Malaria, Dengue and Kala Azar, Leprosy etc. Other major initiatives for which states are being supported include JananiShishuSurakshaKaryakram (JSSK), RashtriyaBalSwasthyaKaryakram (RBSK), Rashtriya KishorSwasthyaKaryakram (RKSK), implementation of NHM Free Drugs and Free Diagnostics Service Initiatives, PM National Dialysis Programme, free patient emergency transport, mobile Medical Units and  National Quality Assurance Framework. However, public health and hospitals being a State subject, under NHM it is the prerogative of State Governments to prioritize interventions as per their needs and disease burden.

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Vacant Seats in Medical Colleges 

As per the information provided by the Medical Council of India (MCI), there are 437 vacant seats in MBBS course for the Academic Year 2017-18. Further, as per the provisions of the Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 1997, Directorate General of Health Services, MoHFW is the Designated Authority for counseling for admission to MBBS course for the 15% All India Quota seats of the contributing States and all MBBS seats of Medical Educational Institutions of the Central Government, Universities established by an Act of Parliament and the Deemed Universities. The counseling for the rest lies with State/Union Territory Government. In case, the All India Quota Seats (15%) remaining vacant after last date for joining, the seats will be deemed to be converted into state quota to be filled up by the respective State.

The process of admission to the medical courses through a common counseling is to be completed in accordance with the statutory time schedule which provides that no admission in the MBBS course is allowed after 31^st August. Thus, it is not permissible to fill up the vacant seats from NEET qualifiers before NEET – 2018.

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Balanced Diet 

As per National Nutrition Monitoring Board report 2012, cereals and millets form the bulk of the diets of the rural Indian population. In general, the rural population subsisting on inadequate diets as the mean intakes of all the food groups, except roots and tubers are below the recommended dietary intakes (RDI) for Indians.

However, there is no specific data on percentage of population of the country deprived of balanced diet.

• To provide balanced diet to the vulnerable age groups such as children under 6 years of age, adolescents, pregnant and lactating mothers, the Government has made provisions for supplementary nutrition through the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) under the Anganwadi Services of the Umbrella ICDS Scheme.

• The details of daily nutrition entitlement for children and pregnant and lactating women under this scheme, as provided under Schedule II of National Food Security Act, 2013 are as follows:

S.No.	Category	Type of meal	Calories (Kcal)	Protein(g)
1.	Children (6 months to 3 years)	Take Home Ration	500	12-15
2.	Children (3 to 6 years)	Morning snack and Hot Cooked Meal	500	12-15
3.	Children (6 months to 6 years) who are malnourished	Take Home Ration	800	20-25
4.	Pregnant women and Lactating mothers	Take Home Ration	600	18-20

• Supplementary Nutrition under the Anganwadi Services Scheme is provided in order to bridge the gap between the Recommended Dietary Allowances for Indians prescribed by the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Average Dietary Intake among the population based on the National Surveys. Accordingly, the nutrition norms under the programme are formulated to bridge this gap.

• The reasons behind inadequate consumption of balanced diet at population level are lack of availability, as well as knowledge regarding importance of balanced diet.

• Government is implementing monthly Village Health and Nutrition Days to increase community awareness regarding importance of consumption of nutritious and balanced diet.

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Nursing Education System 

Indian Nursing Council (INC) is empowered under Indian Nursing Council Act, 1947 to prescribe the syllabus and maintain uniform standards of nursing education in the Country.

As per Section 13 of INC Act, 1947, INC has the power to inspect the State Nursing Council recognized institutions, on the suitability for training and adequacy of the same. Under Section 14, INC has the power to withdraw the recognition.

Indian Nursing Council has already developed the following specialized one year Post Basic diploma courses keeping in view the emerging requirements for specialized Nursing courses on:

• Post Basic Diploma in Cardio-Thoracic Nursing
• Operation Room Nursing
• Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Nursing
• Critical Care Nursing
• Emergency and Disaster Nursing
• Neonatal Nursing
• Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing
• Neuro Science Nursing
• Oncology Nursing
• Nurse Practitioner Critical Care Post Graduate Residency of 2 years duration.

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Ban on Non-Iodized Salt 

The Regulation 2.3.12 of Food Safety and Standards (Prohibition and Restriction on Sales), Regulation, 2011, restricts the sale of common salt for direct human consumption unless the same is Iodized. As per the Regulation, ‘no person shall sell or offer or expose for sale or have in his premises for the purpose of sale, the common salt, for direct human consumption unless the same is iodized.

Provided that common salt may be sold or exposed for sale or stored for sale for iodization, iron fortification, animal use, preservation, manufacturing medicines, and industrial use, under proper label declarations, as specified in the Regulation 2.4.5 (21&42) of Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labeling) regulations, 2011’.

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Irregularities in Government Hospitals 

As far as three Central Government Hospitals i.e. Safdarjung Hospital, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College & Associated Hospitals are concerned, these hospitals are procuring the medicines and equipments by calling open tender as per General Financial Rule (GFR) -2017 & Government of India (GOI) guidelines.

In so far as three Central Government Hospitals i.e. Safdarjung Hospital, Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College & Associated Hospitals are concerned, no such irregularities and sub-standard purchase of medicines, injections and cannulas in these hospitals at exorbitant rates violating the established procedures and guidelines has been reported.

However, following safeguards are in place to curb such malpractices by these hospitals:-

1. Procurement is being done as per GFR.
2. Inspection of items received is being carried out by a Committee constituted by the concerned Hospital.
3. Lab report of Drugs is being taken on regular basis.

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