National Health Policy 2002: a brief critique.

INTRODUCTION The National Health Policy (NHP), released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, marks the culmination of a rather tortuous process. It has reportedly been with the drafting board for many years. One would have assumed that such a process would involve wide ranging discussions at all levels. Unfortunately, besides a small group in the Central Health Ministry, almost everyone appears to have been kept out ofthe process of drafting the new policy. We are now presented with afait accompli. While the policy itself repeatedly states that health is a state subject as per the Indian constitution, from all accounts the state governments have not been involved in the process of drafting, nor has the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare been consulted.