Dr. Harshvardhan released 5th National Family Health Survey, 17 states and 5 Union Territories are involved

New delhi date. Sunday 13 December 2020

Union Health Minister Dr Harshvardhan on Saturday released the Fifth National Family Health Survey. Contains extensive information on population, health and nutrition in the State and Union Territories of India.

A report from the Ministry of Health states that this is a source of important data globally as it is equivalent to 90 other countries' demographic health survey programs on some key indicators and can be used for cross country comparison and growth indicators.

The current NFHS has been conducted in 6.1 lakh sample homes. Revelations were conducted at the household level to gather information on indicators related to population, health, family planning and nutrition.

17 States and five Union Territories (Assam, Bihar, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tripura, Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Telangana, West Bengal) , Mizoram, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Dadar and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu) results have been released in the first phase.

The second phase, covering the remaining 12 states and two union territories, was postponed due to Covid-19, which has been resumed from November and is expected to be completed by May 2021. The report states that NFHS-4 (2015-16) recorded substantial improvement in maternal and child health indicators.

The report said that in the first phase, the fertility rate in the states has declined. There has been an increase in contraceptive use. The survey found a significant improvement in immunization coverage of children aged 12 to 23 months in all states and union territories. Much progress has been made in the women empowerment indicator.

Apart from this the Minister of Health presided over a program to mark Universal Health Coverage Day. Speaking on the occasion, he said that Covid-19 has increased the need to build a health care system and ensure equal access to it for all.