NATIONAL COMMISSSION FOR HUMAN RESOURCES IN HEALTH BILL 2011

HIGHLIGHTS

NATIONAL COMMISSSION FOR HUMAN RESOURCES IN HEALTH BILL 2011                                                                           (NCHRH)

·        Decentralization is a slogan of the Union Government for better organization and achievements.  But it is unfortunate to learn that the benign Government is proposing for centralization of powers by forming National Commission and by taking away the autonomy of all the concerned Board, Councils and other wings of the Union Government for health.

·        The Bill in preamble – States to supervise and regulate professional councils in various disciplines of health sector. Page (1) However, subsequently it dissolves all the existing Councils and takes away all their duties and fund. 

·        The statement of object and reason for the bill section (2) page 53 says “……. to reduce shortage, standardize quality and bridge the uneven distribution of existing work force in the health sector”.

-      With No roadmap.  How is the Government going to reduce the shortage of manpower by forming this Commission?

-      Use of attractive words will not solve the problem. 

-      There is no need to dissolve the existing health Councils to achieve this purpose. 

-      Health is a State subject and resources cannot be redistributed by the Central Government.

For example - “There is acute shortage of water & electricity in various parts of the country.  Will the Central Government constitute the Commission to make even distribution?”

·        Hon’ble Prime Minister of India said “India needs more Family physicians and efforts will be taken to increase the importance of Family physician.

Contradicting to this the bill says 4(c) page 53 “….to ensure uniform augmentation of trained specialist and super specialist” as its priority. 

·        The seventh schedule in continuation of section 68 in Part I (30) (page 50) says getting engaged in any business (or) occupation other than health professions is misconduct.

This prohibits all career opportunities for health professionals.

·        National Commission, the proposed supreme body with vested powers will not have elected members and State representatives to represent their needs and demands.

Professionals from other discipline of Management technology and law are given place in this Commission which will pave way for dilution and nepotism.

It is unfortunate that in a democratic country elected representative Council is brought under power of non democratic body.

-      Health is a State subject.

-      Independent Councils is the need of Medical Professions.

-      NCHRH will do more harm to health education and health care of India. 

-      In short NCHRH is of the Government by the Government and for the Government and not for health care and medical education.