Budget 2024: Sitharaman focuses on health of girls aged 9-14 years

But the highlight of his budget speech in Parliament was the government’s new focus on the health of young girls. Sitharaman said the government will actively promote vaccination of girls aged 9-14 years for the prevention of cervical cancer. “Our government will encourage vaccination for girls in the age group of 9-14 years for the prevention of cervical cancer,” she said.

In India, Serum Institute India (SII) has launched the country’s first indigenous HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine, CervaVac, to prevent cervical cancer. Including this vaccine in the country’s vaccination program would potentially reduce the cost of the drug.

“I applaud the Government of India’s announcement to vaccinate girls aged 9-14 years against cervical cancer. Let’s pledge to prevent HPV and ensure easy access to vaccination,” Adar Poonawala, CEO of Pune-based SII, wrote on social media platform X.

Apart from upgrading and strengthening the nutrition scheme, the government also announced the extension of the flagship Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme to all ASHA and Anganwadi workers and assistants, under which nutritious food is provided to children in government schools.

Sitharaman allocated Rs 90,658 crore to the Health Ministry for FY2015, an increase of only 1.68% from the previous year. The Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) has been allocated ₹26,092 crore, up 2.53% from FY24. Mint had earlier reported on January 22 that the WCD ministry would be allotted This time Rs 26,212 crore.

Asha and Anganwadi workers got a big place in the interim budget. The Center announced to upgrade Anganwadi centers under Saksham Anganwadi scheme and accelerate Nutrition 2.0 to improve nutrition delivery, early childhood care and development. budget provided ₹21,200 crore for WCD’s Integrated Enabled Anganwadi and Nutrition 2.0 scheme. The scheme aims to tackle the challenges of malnutrition among children, adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Launched in 2018, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) is a flagship program of the BJP-led government. The scheme has been allocated 7,500 crore, up about 4% from last year.

Mint had earlier reported that schemes benefiting ASHA and Anganwadi workers would be a priority. Anganwadi services come under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program of the Mission Nutrition category. The WCD Ministry has divided its ongoing schemes into three major categories namely Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya and Mission Poshan.

“We are happy that our needs are being prioritized and the efforts of ASHAs and Anganwadi workers have been valued. Although we are grateful that the Center is considering expanding Ayushman Bharat for us, there is still a lot to learn about how the program will be implemented and how it will help us. “Most Anganwadi and Asha workers are unaware of how to sign up for the Ayushman Bharat scheme,” said Kavita, an ASHA worker from Delhi.

The Center also announced that the newly-defined U-WIN platform will be rapidly implemented across the country for management of vaccination and intensified efforts for Mission Indradhanush.

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Published: 02 Feb 2024, 02:38 am IST