Officials in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that three states have recorded maximum utilization of funds under this mega national health scheme.
Interestingly, these three states have also registered over-utilization of funds allocated under the NHM project.
Government statistics in possession of ETV Bharat said that Rs 26,288.77 cr have been utilized against the released fund of Rs 19,039.53 in Uttar Pradesh since the national health scheme came into force.
Similarly, Tamil Nadu has recorded an expenditure of Rs 10,711.38 cr against the released fund of Rs 6,613.72 cr.
Madhya Pradesh has recorded an expenditure of Rs 10,568.36 cr against Rs 7,863.89 cr released to the state till January 14 this year.
The Centre has continued to allocate more funds to strengthen the National Health Mission ever since it started four years back. Officials said there has been an increase in State share for NHM from 25 percent to 40 percent in all States except Hill States and North Eastern States.
In addition, the States are required to increase their State Health Budget by at least 10 percent annually as per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under NHM.
“The working of National Health Mission (NHM) is reviewed and assessed inter-alia through external surveys such as, National Family Health Survey (NFHS) and Sample Registration System (SRS). Further, Common Review Missions (CRMs) also undertake a review of NRHM/NHM every year,” officials in the health ministry said.
Ironically national capital Delhi has registered under utilization of funds. The Financial Management Report (FMR) has recorded utilization of Rs 996.10 cr against the released fund of Rs 1,126.28 by the Delhi government.
READ: Cricketer-turned-politician Kirti Azad joins Congress
Performance of National Health Mission is also reviewed by the Ministry periodically including through the Health Management Information System (HMIS), Reproductive and Child Health portal, NIKSHAY portal (for TB patients) and Comprehensive Primary Health Care Portal.
Interestingly, to monitor the progress of Health and Wellness Centres, the AB-HWC portal has been created.
In addition, annual audits by the Comptroller Auditor General of India (CAG) and statutory audits and financial monitoring and management of funds are carried out through Public Financial Management System (PFMS) that tracks the flow of funds at different levels.
“The Ministry is also focusing on outcome-based monitoring,” official added.
According to the government statistics, Andhra Pradesh has also registered utilization of Rs 6,725.31 cr which is above the centrally released fund of Rs 4,669.65 cr.
The National Health Mission (NHM) has come into existence from 2013-14, comprising of two sub missions namely National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and National Urban Health Mission (NUHM).
READ: FERA case: SC stays trial court proceedings against TTV Dhinakaran
