Impact of Government Policies on Reproductive and Child Health Care: An Overview

Health is increasingly being seen as a development issue rather than just a medical issue. Ill health and poor access to health services are seen as indicator of poor economies and irresponsible health policies. Most governments, all over the world, are recognizing the importance of the programmes in reducing the incidences of disease, disability, premature, effects of ageing, and improving the physical, mental, and socio-cultural conditions of living. Reproductive health care is vital for improving wellbeing and achieving other social and development goals. As India is witnessing a change in population dynamics there has also been a significant shift in the way reproductive health problems are conceptualize. The population programme now aims to provide family planning within a broad framework of maternal and child care, with emphasis on voluntarism and informed choice. India will need more evidences that influence the currents policies and programmes so as to achieve better health for every section of society. Women's ability to choose the number of children they bear and the time intervals between births is the key to empower women as individuals, mothers, and citizens. Since independence, several policies and programmatic interventions have been formulated to meet the health needs of people in the country. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to study the government policies related to reproductive and child health care and to know the impact of government policies on reproductive and child health care.