The Government of India announced the first National Health Policy in the year?

DSSSB Public Health Nurse - 2015

Community Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: DSSSB Public Health Nurse - 2015

Explanation

The first National Health Policy (NHP) was formulated by the Government of India and approved by the Parliament in 1983.
It was a direct response to the global call for 'Health for All by 2000 AD' made in the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978.
The policy's main focus was on establishing a comprehensive primary healthcare system, with an emphasis on preventive, promotive, and rehabilitative services.

Option A: This year marks the beginning of the First Five-Year Plan, which was a crucial step for planned development in India, including health. However, a formal, comprehensive National Health Policy was not formulated at this time.
Option C: In 1977, the Rural Health Scheme was launched, and the World Health Organization adopted the 'Health for All' goal. While these events were significant precursors, the official policy document for India was finalized later.
Option D: This year is known for the major economic liberalization reforms in India. These reforms had a long-term impact on all sectors, including health, but it is not the year the first NHP was announced.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain National Health Policies of India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the evolution of National Health Policies helps nurses appreciate the context behind various public health programs (like immunization, maternal and child health services) they implement.
These policies directly influence resource allocation, infrastructure development at Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Sub-centres, and define the scope of practice for community health nurses.
What if the question asked about the policy that introduced the concept of 'Ayushman Bharat'? The answer would be the National Health Policy of 2017, which laid the groundwork for this flagship health protection scheme.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question based on historical milestones in Indian public health.
Identify the core concept being asked: 'first National Health Policy' in India.
Scan the options, which are all years, indicating a need for a specific date.
Recall or deduce the correct year. The Alma-Ata declaration of 1978 on 'Health for All' is a major global landmark that preceded India's first NHP, making 1983 a logical timeframe.
Eliminate other years by associating them with different historical events: 1951 (First Five-Year Plan), 1977 (Rural Health Scheme), and 1991 (Economic Reforms).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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