The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, was today briefed on the progress of various healthcare initiatives of the Union Government; and India's progress towards Millennium Development Goals. The Prime Minister said that an evaluation should be made on the contribution of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, towards improvement of health indicators. He called for documentation and adaptation of best practices in the healthcare sector across the country, to enable their rapid scaling up for maximum benefit.
The Prime Minister noted that huge strides were being made in Human Development Index and social parameters, in areas where the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has fallen significantly. He said that these benefits of low TFR should be brought before the people across the country. The Prime Minister asked the Health Ministry to keep an eye on acute health problems affecting specific parts of the country, such as Japanese Encephalitis in Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. He also said more attention was required on the healthcare initiatives for the urban poor. Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Shri J.P. Nadda, was present at the meeting.