FAMILY WELFARE PROGRAMME

The family welfare programme, in India is recognized as a priority area, and is being implanted as a 100% centrally sponsored programme. As per constitution of India, family planning is the concurrent list. Family welfare programme in 1951 with the objective of reducing the birth rate of the extent necessary to stabilize the population at a level consistent with the requirement of the national economy.

INTRODUCTION

          The term maternal and child health (MCH) refers to the promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilative health care of mothers and children. It includes the sub areas of maternal health, child health, family planning, school health and health aspects of the adolescent handicapped children and care for children in special settings.

EVOLUTION OF MCH SERVICES IN INDIA

          In ancient time, it was in practice in India, that untrained ‘dais’ (Maids) belonging to the lower community were mostly responsible for conducting deliveries. They were unclear in their habits. In ancient India, care of women and practice of MCH, services were totally in the hands of indigenous village dais.

          Women were subject to the pardah system and interacted very little with outsiders, specially men. Fox those in labour, the village dai was the only source of help at the time of delivery. So these came a need to save the life of mother and child where MCH evolved with an aim of ensure maternal and child health.

 

Delivering the MCH Services

          MCH is not a new speciality. It is a method of delivering health care to special group, in the population which is especially vulnerable to disease, disability or death.

Objective

·        Reduction of morbidity and mortality rate.

·        The promotion of reproductive health

·        The promotion of the physical and psychological development of the child within the family.