Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn,Child And Adolescent Health

The Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child Health + Adolescent Health program is at the heart of the flagship program of National Health Mission (NRHM). One of the most important steps that the Government of India has taken to fulfil its commitment to improving maternal health and child survival is the articulation of a comprehensive approach and linking together a set of initiatives and strategies that address each life stage of the individual from the date of conception to its healthy survival for the future. The articulation of our Endeavour to tailor programs for sections of the population which till now have been underserved; for instance, adolescents, tribals and poor people living in Urban area.

The 12th Five Year Plan has defined the national health outcomes and the three goals that are relevant to RMNCH+A strategic approach as follows: Health Outcome Goals established in the 12th Five Year Plan:

• Reduction of Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) to 25 per 1,000 live births by 2017
• Reduction in Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) to 100 per 100,000 live births by 2017
• Reduction in Total Fertility Rate (TFR) to 2.1 by 2017

The RMNCH+A approach majorly takes of the issues related to the mortality among the women and children as well as the delays in accessing and utilizing health care services. It provides an understanding of the ‘continuum of care’ to ensure equal focus on various life stages. Increasingly, across the globe, there is an emphasis on establishing the ‘continuum of care’, which includes integrated service delivery in various life stages including the adolescence, pre-pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal period, childhood and reproductive age. In addition, services should be available at all levels: in homes and communities, through outpatient services and hospitals with ‘inpatient’ facilities. This approach is based on the sound premise that health of an individual across the life stages is interlinked.