Steps taken to Strengthen Public Healthcare in Rural Areas

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, under the National Health Mission (NHM), has launched the Free Drugs Service Initiative (FDSI) and the Free Diagnostics Service Initiative to provide free medicines (113 drugs at Sub‑Health Centres up to 381 drugs at district hospitals) and free diagnostic tests (14 tests at Sub‑Centers up to 134 tests at district hospitals) in rural public health facilities, aiming to lower out‑of‑pocket expenditure. The Ministry also offers various monetary and non‑monetary incentives—hard‑area allowances, honoraria for specialist doctors, incentives for ANMs, negotiable salaries, and preferential postgraduate admission—to attract and retain health personnel in remote areas. Technical and financial support is extended to States/UTs through Programme Implementation Plans and Record of Proceedings approvals, with human‑resource gaps supplemented by NHM posts as per Indian Public Health Standards.