Village Health Guide Scheme was started in India in the year - - UPPSC 2023

UPPSC 2023

Community Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: UPPSC 2023

Explanation

The Village Health Guide (VHG) Scheme was launched in 1977 as a pivotal part of the broader Rural Health Scheme.
This initiative was officially introduced on October 2, 1977, to extend primary healthcare services to rural areas.
The scheme's framework was based on the recommendations of the 'Group on Medical Education and Support Manpower', commonly known as the Shrivastav Committee (1975).
Its core principle was to train a volunteer from the local community for every 1000 population to serve as the first point of contact for basic health needs.

Option B: This year is incorrect. While significant in public health, 1971 is primarily associated with the enactment of the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act.
Option C: This year is incorrect. 1984 is known for the tragic Bhopal gas disaster and amendments to industrial safety laws, not the launch of the VHG scheme.
Option D: This year is incorrect. Key health initiatives in 1989 included the launch of the Blood Safety Program, not the VHG scheme which was already over a decade old.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Launch year of the Village Health Guide (VHG) Scheme in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the history of public health initiatives like the VHG scheme is crucial for community health nurses to appreciate the evolution of rural healthcare in India.
The principles of the VHG scheme—community participation, local selection, and basic health training—are foundational concepts for modern community health workers like ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists).
Knowledge of these historical programs helps in understanding the current three-tier rural health infrastructure of Sub-Centres, Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and Community Health Centres (CHCs).

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrase in the question: 'Village Health Guide Scheme' and the keyword 'year'.
Recognize this as a factual recall question from Community Health Nursing, requiring knowledge of major public health milestones in India.
Mentally place the VHG scheme in its historical context. It was a major post-emergency period initiative focused on rural health.
Evaluate the given options. Try to associate each year with a known health event to confirm or eliminate it.
Recall that the Shrivastav Committee's recommendations led to the Rural Health Scheme in the late 1970s. This points directly to 1977.
Confirm the choice by eliminating other years. For example, 1971 is famous for the MTP Act.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Comprehensive Textbook of Community Health NursingShyamala D part 1 (pp 26-389 of 389) p. 54-56

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart A (pp 1-232 of 464) p. 120-122