The International Advisory Panel (IAP) on National Rural Health Mission today attributed India’s better Health Indicators to work accomplished under various components of NRHM. The panel headed by Prof. Jeffery D.

New Delhi, Dec 23, 2011: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will soon launch a Weekly Iron and Folic Supplementation (WIFS) programme. The programme, implemented across the country both (rural and urban areas) will cover nearly 12 Crore adolescents. The Ministry has suggested to the States that a fixed day in a week, preferably a Monday, be earmarked as the day when Iron and Folic Acid tablet is provided to adolescents. Funding for implementation of the scheme to the States would be provided under the National Rural Health Mission.

Recognizing the importance of Health in the process of economic and social development and improving the quality of life of our citizens, the Government of India has resolved to launch the National Rural Health Mission to carry out necessary architectural correction in the basic health care delivery system. The Mission adopts a synergistic approach by relating health to determinants of good health viz. segments of nutrition, sanitation, hygiene and safe drinking water. It also aims at mainstreaming the Indian systems of medicine to facilitate health care.