The Rural Health Scheme was based on the recommendation of which committee?

AIIMS BBSR SNO - 2019

Community Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: AIIMS BBSR SNO - 2019

Explanation

The Shrivastava Committee, established in 1974 and reporting in 1975, was officially titled the 'Group on Medical Education and Support Manpower'.
Its primary recommendation was to create a large cadre of community-based, semi-professional health workers to deliver basic health services in rural areas.
The committee also proposed a scheme for the Reorientation of Medical Education (ROME) to align medical training with rural health needs.
These specific recommendations formed the blueprint for the Rural Health Scheme, which was launched by the Government of India in 1977.

Option B: The Chadha Committee's focus was much narrower. It was primarily concerned with the maintenance phase of the National Malaria Eradication Programme.
Option C: The Kartar Singh Committee's main contribution was the concept of creating Multipurpose Health Workers (MPWs) by combining various single-purpose health workers.
Option D: The Jungalwalla Committee focused on the integration of health services at an administrative level, advocating for a unified cadre and common seniority, and eliminating private practice by government doctors.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Recommendations of Health Committees in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the history of these committees helps nurses appreciate how the current three-tier rural healthcare system (Sub-centre, PHC, CHC) evolved in India.
The concept of community health workers (like ASHAs), first formally proposed by the Shrivastava Committee, is now the backbone of primary healthcare and numerous national health programs.
What if the question was about the 'Multipurpose Worker Scheme'? In that case, the Kartar Singh Committee would be the correct answer, as it laid the foundation for integrating various health workers into a single MPW role.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrase in the question: 'Rural Health Scheme'.
This is a factual recall question from Community Health Nursing that requires knowledge of various health committees in India.
Mentally associate each committee with its primary contribution.
Shrivastava Committee is directly linked to the creation of community health workers and the subsequent Rural Health Scheme of 1977.
Eliminate the other options by recalling their focus: Chadha (Malaria), Kartar Singh (Multipurpose Workers), and Jungalwalla (Integration of Services).
Select the option that directly corresponds to the 'Rural Health Scheme'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health NursingShyamala D part 1 (pp 26-389 of 389) pp. 70-72, 71-73