Steps and Importance of RCH in Biology
The abbreviation RCH stands for Reproductive and Child Health. It is a programme that was initiated in October 1997 with the goal of battling and lowering maternal, newborn, and child mortality rates. It was formulated as per the recommendation of the International Conference on Population and Development held in Cario in 1994. The International Conference on Population and Development held in Cairo gave RCH programme definition as “A state of complete, physical, mental, and social well-being and merely the absence of disease or infirmity in all matters relating to the reproductive system and its function and process”. The article discusses what is RCH and what RCH stands for, the article also discusses the objectives of reproductive and child health programmes. National Health Mission is the umbrella programme under which (RMNCH+A) Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Reproductive and Child Health programme is administered.
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Reproductive and Child Health Survey Programme in India
On October 15, 1997, the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Program was inaugurated across the nation. This initiative sought to achieve a situation whereby females will be able to control their fertility, get through pregnancy and childbirth safely, and have successful pregnancies that result in the survival and well-being of both the mother and infant. Couples will also be allowed to engage without the worry of developing sexually transmitted illnesses. Within the broader goal of lowering baby, child, and maternal death rates. RCH - II, the second phase of the RCH programme, was inaugurated on April 1, 2005. The project's key objective was to modify three key physiological parameters: total fertility rate, infant mortality rate, and maternal mortality rate, in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
The RMCH+A strategy was launched in 2013, and it seeks to solve the leading causes of death among women and children, along with obstacles in receiving and using primary healthcare services. The RMNCH+A systemic method was suggested to provide a better understanding of the 'continuum of care,' ensuring that different life phases are given equal attention. Important actions have already been added for each subject area to ensure that the links in them are contextualised to the same and subsequent life stages. It also includes new programmes including the use of a Score Card to assess effectiveness, the National Iron + Initiative to combat anaemia in people of all ages, and Systematic assessment and early treatment for birth abnormalities, illnesses, and deficits in children and teenagers. The RMNCH+A correctly urges states to concentrate their efforts on the nation's most vulnerable members of society and marginalised people. It also underlines the importance of bolstering efforts in low-performing regions which have already been designated as high-focus areas.
Objectives of Reproductive And Child Health Programme
The main objectives of RCH are mentioned below.
To improve the health of women and children to guarantee safe maternity and child survival, with the intermediate goal of lowering IMR and MMR.
Population stability is the ultimate goal, which may be achieved by appropriate reproductive behaviour.
To improve policy administration and oversight by using a participatory design method that empowers organisations to make the best use of project resources.
To improve the present Family wellness services' quality, coverage, and effectiveness.
To gradually broaden the scope and coverage of services related to family welfare in order to provide a comprehensive package of RCH help.
To improve the quality and infrastructure of FW services, preferential treatment should be given to rural parts of cities or districts.
Increase the range and substance of existing family welfare (FW) wellness programmes in order to accommodate new components.
Intervention and steps in RCH
Since we have understood what is RCH and what RCH stands for let us look into the following main concepts that were introduced in the RCH programme,
Unwanted pregnancy prevention and management
Maternal care (safe motherhood)
Child survival
STD prevention and management
HIV AIDS prevention
The Steps or the Services Provided Under the RCH Programme Includes the Following.
Family planning, under this programme the citizens are provided with professional counselling and information and communication services on health. The programme also teaches about growth requirements, growth monitoring. Reproductive health services are also availed for adolescents.
Child survival, under this initiative the essential care necessary for newborn health is taught. Infection control measures and nutritional requirements are also provided under it.
Safe motherhood program, under this programme, provides the service for obstetric care, infection control. The prevention of unwanted pregnancy and fertility control is provided.
Prevention and management of RTI, STD and AIDS is also under the objectives of reproductive and child health programme
Shortcomings of the RCH Programme
We have seen the intervention and the objectives of the RCH programme along with the RCH programme definition, let us look into the few reasons that hindered the overall objective of the Reproductive And Child Health programme.
Health care services and facilities were unavailable to the underprivileged.
The financial resources were mismanaged.
Government resources such as physicians, nurses, and health workers, were in short supply.
There was a gap in the information systems and assessment system.
There was a lack of adequate infrastructure of initial referral units.
Substandard service efficiency at PHCs (primary health care centres) and CHC (community health care centres), as well as a lack of local engagement.
In conclusion of the article, we have learnt about the RCH programme definition and the objectives of reproductive and child health programmes. We have also seen the steps and facilities which is provided under the Reproductive And Child Health Programme.
FAQs on RCH: Explanation, Objectives & Interventions
1. What is the full form of RCH and what does it signify in the context of public health in India?
The full form of RCH is Reproductive and Child Health. This programme signifies a comprehensive and integrated approach to public health in India, moving beyond earlier, narrowly focused family planning initiatives. It aims to create a 'reproductively healthy society' by providing a wide range of services and creating awareness about all aspects of reproduction, maternal health, and child survival. It was launched in 1997 to address these issues holistically.
2. What are the primary objectives of the RCH Programme?
The primary objectives of the RCH Programme are designed to improve the overall health status of the population, particularly women and children. Key objectives include:
Reducing the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR).
Ensuring universal access to information and counselling on contraception, childbirth, and postnatal care.
Promoting 100% immunisation coverage for all children.
Creating awareness about the prevention and management of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and Reproductive Tract Infections (RTIs).
Supporting and providing facilities to build a reproductively healthy society.
3. What are the major interventions implemented under the RCH Programme?
The RCH Programme implements several key interventions to achieve its objectives. The main components are:
Family Planning: Providing access to and information about a wide range of contraceptive methods.
Maternal Care (Safe Motherhood): Includes antenatal check-ups, institutional deliveries by trained professionals, and postnatal care for mother and newborn.
Child Survival: Focuses on universal immunisation, promoting breastfeeding, and managing common childhood illnesses like diarrhoea and pneumonia.
Prevention and Management of STIs/RTIs: Educating the public, especially adolescents, about safe sexual practices and providing diagnostic and treatment facilities.
4. How is the RCH Programme different from India's earlier Family Planning Programme?
The RCH Programme represents a significant evolution from the earlier Family Planning Programme. The primary difference lies in its scope and approach. The old programme was largely target-driven and focused almost exclusively on population control through contraception. In contrast, the RCH Programme is client-centred and holistic. It integrates maternal health, child health, and family planning into a single package, recognising that the health of the mother and child are interconnected and crucial for overall societal well-being, which in turn contributes to population stabilisation.
5. Why is addressing the health of adolescents a critical component of the RCH Programme?
Addressing adolescent health is critical because this age group (10-19 years) is at a vulnerable stage of physical and psychological development. The RCH Programme focuses on adolescents to:
Provide accurate information about puberty, menstruation, and reproductive health to dispel myths and misconceptions.
Educate them about the risks of unprotected sex, including STIs, HIV/AIDS, and unwanted pregnancies.
Address issues like nutritional deficiencies (e.g., anaemia), substance abuse, and mental health.
By empowering adolescents with knowledge, the programme aims to build a foundation for a responsible and healthy adult life, thus preventing future health problems.
6. What is the role of governmental and non-governmental organisations in the RCH Programme?
Both governmental and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) play vital roles in the RCH Programme. Governmental agencies are responsible for policy-making, funding, and establishing the public health infrastructure like Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs). They manage the large-scale implementation of services like immunisation drives and antenatal care. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) often work at the grassroots level, improving outreach to remote or marginalised communities. They play a crucial role in awareness campaigns, counselling, and ensuring that the services reach the intended beneficiaries.
7. What is the importance of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) within the RCH framework?
Within the RCH framework, the legalisation and provision of safe Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) services are important for public health. Its significance lies in its ability to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity caused by unsafe, illegal abortions. The RCH Programme ensures that MTP is performed by qualified medical professionals under hygienic conditions. It is provided as a safe option in cases of contraceptive failure, pregnancies resulting from sexual assault, or when continuing the pregnancy poses a risk to the physical or mental health of the mother or child.
8. How does the RCH Programme contribute to achieving population stability in India?
The RCH Programme contributes to population stability not through coercive measures, but by promoting a development-led approach. By improving maternal and child survival rates, parents gain confidence that their children will survive to adulthood, which can reduce the desire for a large number of children. Furthermore, by providing education and a wide range of contraceptive choices, the programme empowers individuals, especially women, to make informed decisions about their family size. This leads to a voluntary adoption of smaller family norms, contributing to a stable population in the long run.
