The union minister of health and family welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that the past four years have been historic times for the Indian healthcare. As per Azad, the reforms introduced by the health ministry has changed total health scenario of the country.

Speaking at an event in Chandigarh, Azad said, "The latest initiative is "Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram", which was launched on February 06, 2013 from a tribal block of Thane district in Maharashtra by Mrs Sonia Gandhi, chairperson, UPA. This national programme is for universal screening of children for disorders, diseases, deficiencies and disabilities from birth up to 18 years. It will cover 27 crore across the country including 17 crore school going children. India has earned international acclaim for containing Polio, with the longest polio-free period ever since eradication efforts were launched."

The minister also mentionmed that there have been significant falls in MMR, IMR and TFR as well as reduction in new HIV cases by 57%. "Since the launch of the National Rural Health Mission over 8 years ago, substantial progress has been achieved in several areas. More than Rs. 90,000 crores has been released to the 35 State Governments and UTs. New Health Infrastructure has been created - nearly 50,000 new construction and up-gradation works were taken up to improve health facilities. Nearly 70,000 beds have been increased in the country in government health institutions for provision of essential and emergency services," said the minister.

As per the minister, addition of 1.6 lakh human resources such as specialists, doctors, nurses, ANMs and para-medics has been made. Over 8 lakh 60 thousand community health workers called ASHAs have been appointed in villages to facilitate interface between the communities and health system. Under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), complemented by Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), institutional deliveries have seen a quantum jump, leading to unprecedented increase in the institutional deliveries from 7.00 lakhs in 2005-06 to nearly one crore and ten lakhs in the past two years. A name, address and telephone based Mother and Child Tracking System (MCTS) has been put in place to reach out to every pregnant woman for proper care during pregnancy and to every child for proper vaccination. So far data of more than 4.5 crores women and 3.6 crores children has been captured till July 05, 2013.