National Rural Health Mission

 

Draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Between Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India And The Government of the State of  …………..

 

[NOTE: Explanatory Footnotes and Sample Annexes are for purposes of clarification and illustration only.] 

 

1.            Preamble

 

1.1              WHEREAS the National Rural Health Mission, hereinafter referred to as NRHM, has been launched for nation-wide implementation with effect from April, 2005[1];

 

1.2              WHEREAS the NRHM aims at providing accessible, affordable, effective, accountable and reliable health care to all citizens and in particular to the poorer and vulnerable sections of the population; consistent with the outcomes envisioned in the Millennium Development Goals and general principles laid down in the National and State policies, including the National Health Policy, 2002 and National Population Policy, 2000;    

 

1.3              AND WHEREAS the ‘architectural correction’ of the health sector is a key objective for the NRHM, to be carried out through integration of vertical programs and structures; delegation and decentralization of authority; involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions and other supportive policy reform measures in the areas of medical education, public health management, incorporation of Indian Systems of Medicine, regulation of health care providers and new health financing mechanisms;

 

1.4              NOW THEREFORE the signatories to this Memorandum of Understanding (hereinafter referred to as MoU) have agreed as set out hereinbelow.

 

2.            Duration of the MoU

 

1.5              This MoU will be operative with effect from April, 2005 or the date of its signing by the parties concerned whichever is later and will remain in force till March, 2012 or till its renewal through mutual agreement whichever is earlier.

 

3.                  State Sector PIP and its financing

 

3.1        The MoHFW will provide a resource envelope to support the implementation of an agreed State NRHM Sector Programme Implementation Plan (PIP), hereinafter referred to as Sector PIP, reflecting (a) all sources of funding for the health sector, including State’s own contribution[2], (b) a convergence plan for NRHM related sectors[3] and (c) proposals and time frame for institutional reforms referred to in para 1.3 hereinabove[4].    

 

3.2        The agreed outlay for the Sector PIP for financial year 2005-06 and 2006-07 and the sources for the funding of the same will be as given at Appendix-I[5] hereto.

 

3.3        Each State will prepare a Programme Implementation Programme (PIP) and a Log Frame based upon the quantum of funds provided to it.  The PIP will be consistent with the general principles laid down in the National and State policies relevant to the Sector and other agreed action plans.  The Log Frame will, in particular, reflect the core indicators agreed to be adopted by the programme.

 

3.4        Based upon its PIP and Log Frame, each State will set its own annual level of achievement for the programme core indicators in consultation with GoI and subsequently, States will have similar arrangements with the Districts.

 

3.5        The Government of India may issue mandatory core financial and programme indicators as well as institutional process as well as output indicators, which would need to be adhered to by the States.

 

3.6        The implementation of the action plan as set out in the PIP shall be reviewed at the State level once every month at the level of all States and UTs.

 

3.7        A review would be held every (quarter/six months) by the MoHFW (for the EAG States, NE States and the State of Jammu & Kashmir)/(every six months/annually) (for other States/UTs).  Corresponding State level reviews of Districts would need to be carried out by the States/UTs.

 

3.8        The Sector PIP will be jointly reviewed to arrive at an agreed Sector PIP for the subsequent year.

 

3.9        The NRHM contribution to support the Sector PIP will cover, among others, implementation of RCH phase II, National Vector Borne Disease Control Program, National Leprosy Eradication Program, National Iodine Deficiency Disorder Program, Revised National Tuberculosis Program, National Blindness Control Program, AYUSH scheme on hospitals and dispensaries, Integrated Disease Surveillance Program and the thrust areas identified under the NRHM.

 

3.10    The NRHM would operate as an omnibus broadband programme by integrating all vertical programmes of the Departments of Health and Family Welfare.  However, independent sub-budget lines may be retained to provide independent ‘financial’ identity till the expiry of existing bilateral agreements.

 

3.11    Although the AIDS control program and the National Cancer Control Program shall not be merged into the NRHM budget head, the planning and monitoring functions for these shall remain a specific task for the institutional arrangements agreed through this MoU.

       

4.         Funds Flow arrangements

 

4.1.            The first installment of grant-in-aid under this MoU shall be made during the second half year of financial year 2005-06[6] and will be contingent upon execution of this MoU[7]. 

 

4.2  Subsequent six-monthly releases shall be regulated on the basis of a written report to be submitted by the State indicating the progress of the agreed State Sector PIP including the following:

 

·         Documentary evidence indicating achievement of targets / milestones for the agreed performance indicators referred to in para 5 hereinbelow,

·         Statement of Expenditure confirming utilization of at least 50% of the previous release(s),

·         Utilization Certificate(s) and Audit reports wherever they have become due as per agreed procedures under General Financial Rules (GFR).

 

 

5.            Performance Indicators

 

5.1.   Release of grants-in-aid will be subject to satisfactory progress of agreed Performance Indicators relating to implementation of agreed State PIP including institutional reforms.

 

5.2  The agreed Performance Indicators are as given at Appendix-II[8] hereto.

 

6.            Performance Awards

 

6.1   The State shall be eligible to receive an Annual ‘performance award’ to the tune of 10% of its actual utilization of cash assistance in the previous financial year provided that the State has successfully achieved the criteria set out in para 5.2 above.

 

6.2   The releases under the performance award mechanism will be over and above the agreed allocations for supporting the agreed State Sector PIP and will become an untied pool which may be used for such purposes as may be agreed by the State Mission Steering Group referred to in para 8.1 hereinbelow.

 

7.          Institutional Arrangements : National Level

 

7.1        At the National level, Mission implementation will be steered by a Mission Steering Group (MSG) headed by the Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare and an Empowered Programme Committee (EPC) headed by the Union Secretary for Health & Family Welfare.

 

7.2   The State Sector PIPs shall be appraised for approval and sanctioned by duly authorized Committee.

 

7.4   The representatives of the concerned State Government(s) shall also be invited to the meeting of the Committee whenever their proposal are listed for consideration / approval.

 

7.5   The Committee may also seek written feedback on the State Plan(s) from the representatives of the Development Partners providing financial and technical assistance to the Mission in the concerned State(s).   

 

 

8.      Institutional Arrangements : State, District and Hospital Levels

 

8.1.      The State Government has set up the State Health Mission headed by the Chief Minister for providing guidance to State Health Mission activities. The constitution and terms of reference of the State Health Mission are as given at Appendix-III hereto. 

 

8.2  The State has merged existing State level vertical societies in the health sector and has created an integrated Society, called …………………………………  The said society shall receive the funds from the MoH&FW and other sources. The Society shall also perform the functions of a flexible mechanism for sourcing program management support for the State Directorate and district health administration in the State[9].  The Rules and bye-laws of the State Society as filed with relevant registration authorities are as given at Appendix-IV hereto.

 

8.3.   The State has completed the merger of the Departments in the Health and Family Welfare sector and has issued necessary orders for appointing the State Mission Director.[10]  

 

8.4   The State has ordered merger of all District level vertical societies into an integrated District Health and Family Welfare Society called………….. The District Health Mission shall guide the Integrated District Health Society in policy and operations. The (model) Rules / bye-laws of the district Society as notified through Resolution / Notification are as given at Appendix-V hereto.

 

8.5.   The State has also ordered creation of a Hospital Management Society called ……………………………The model Rules / bye-laws of the hospital level society to be registered / filed with relevant registration authorities are as given at Appendix-VI hereto[11].    

 

9            Performance Review

 

9.1.   The Department of Health & Family Welfare shall convene national level meetings to review progress of implementation of the agreed State Sector PIP.

 

9.2   The department of Health and Family Welfare may also organize a State level review[12].

 

9.3   The review meetings may lead to proposals for adding to or modifying one or more Appendices of  this MoU. These  will always be in writing and will form part of the minutes of meetings referred to hereinabove.

 

 

10             Government of India Commitments

 

10.1     The funds committed through this MoU may be enhanced or reduced, depending on the pace of implementation of the agreed State PIP and achievement of the milestones relating to the agreed Performance Indicators.

 

10.2     The MoH&FW also commits itself to:

 

(a)               Ensuring that the resources available under the State Partnership Programs outside the MoH&FW budgets are directed towards complementing and supplementing the resources made available through the MoH&FW budget and are not used to replace the recurring expenses hitherto provided for under the Centrally Sponsored Schemes under the health and family welfare sector. 

 

(b)               Ensuring that multilateral and bilateral development partners co-ordinate their assistance, monitoring and evaluation arrangements, data requirements and procurement rules etc. within the framework of an integrated State Health Plan. 

 

(c)               Facilitating establishment of District Health Missions and development of District Action Plans through such means as may be mutually agreed.

 

(d)               Assisting the States in mobilizing technical assistance inputs to the State Government including in the matter of recruitment of staff for the State and district societies.

 

(e)               Developing social / equity audit capacity of the States through joint development of protocols for assessing access levels for the most disadvantaged groups.

 

(f)                 Developing and disseminating protocols, standards, training modules and other such materials for improving implementation of the program.

 

(g)               Consultation with States, at least once a year, on the reform agenda and review of progress.

 

(h)               Prompt consideration and response to requests from states for policy, procedural and programmatic changes.

 

(i)                  Release of funds on attainment of agreed performance indicators, within an agreed time.

 

(j)                  Holding joint annual reviews with the State, other interested Central Departments and participating Development Partners; and prompt corrective action consequent on such reviews.

 

(k)                Dissemination of and discussion on any evaluations, reports etc., that have a bearing on policy and/or have the potential to cause a change of policy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.       State Government Commitments:

 

11.1     The State Government commits to ensure that the funds made available to support the agreed State Sector PIP under this MoU are:

 

(a)   used for financing the agreed State Sector PIP in accordance with agreed financing schedule and not used to substitute routine expenditures which is the responsibility of the State Government.

 

(b)   kept intact and not diverted for meeting ways and means crises.

 

11.2            The State Government also commits to ensure that:

 

(a)               The share of public spending on Health from state’s own budgetary sources will be enhanced at least at the rate of 10% every year[13].

 

(b)               Its own resources and the resources provided through this MoU flow to the districts on an even basis so as to ensure regular availability of budget at the district and lower levels.  Of these, at least …..% of funds will be  devolved to the Districts with provision for flexible programming.

 

(c)               Structures for the program management are fully staffed and the key staff related to the design and implementation of the agreed State Sector PIP, and other related activities at the State (including Directorate) and district level are retained in their present positions at least for three years[14]. 

 

(d)               Representative of the MoH&FW and/or development partners providing financial assistance under the MoU mechanism as may be duly authorized by the MoH&FW from time to time, are allowed to undertake field visits in any part of the State and have access to such information as may be necessary to make an assessment of the progress of the health sector in general and the activities related to the activities included under this MoU, subject to such arrangements as may be mutually agreed.

 

(e)               The utilization certificates (duly audited) are sent to the Ministry of Health & after close of the financial year, within the period stipulated in the General Financial Rules.

 

(f)                 The State shall take steps for decentralization and promotion of District level planning and implementation of various activities, under the leadership of Panchayati Raj Institutions.

 

(g)               The State shall endeavour to implement models of ‘Community Health Insurance’.

 

11.3     The State Govt. agrees to abide by all the existing manuals, guidelines, instructions and circulars issued in connection with implementation of the NRHM, which are not contrary to the provisions of this MOU.

 

11.4     The State Government also commits to take prompt corrective action in the event of any discrepancies or deficiencies being pointed out in the audit. Every audit report and the report of action taken thereon shall be tabled in the next ensuing meeting of the Governing Body of the State Society.

 

12.       Bank Accounts of the Societies and their Audit:

 

12.1     State and district society funds will be kept in interest bearing accounts in any designated nationalized bank or such bank as may be specified by the MoHFW[15].

 

12.2     The State will organize the audit of the State and district societies within six-months of the close of every financial year. The State Government will prepare and provide to the MoH&FW, a consolidated statement of expenditure, including the interest  that may have accrued.

 

12.3     The funds routed through the MoU mechanism will also be liable to statutory audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India. 

 

13.            Suspension

 

13.1   Non compliance of the commitments and obligations set hereunder and/or upon failure to make satisfactory progress may require Ministry of Health & Family Welfare to review the assistance committed through this MOU leading to suspension, reduction or cancellation thereof.   The MoH&FW commits to issue sufficient alert to the State Government before contemplating any such action.

 

Signed this day, the ……. of   ……….  200  .

 

For and on behalf of the                       Government of ……..

 

For and on behalf of the                  Government of India,

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare,

 

Principal Secretary (HFW)

Government of  …………

 

Date:_____________

 

Secretary,

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare,           

Government of India

   Date:_____________

 

Appendices which form part of this MoU:

 

Appendix-I:     Agreed outlays and financing plan for the agreed State Sector PIP

 

Appendix-II:    Agreed Performance Indicators

 

Appendix-III:   Constitution and Terms of Reference of the State Health Mission

 

Appendix-IV:   Certified copies of the Rules / bye-laws of the State Society

 

Appendix-V:    State Government Resolution / Notification ordering registration of integrated

                        District Society

 

Appendix-VI:  State Government Resolution / Notification ordering registration of Hospital

                       Management Society. 


Appendix-I

 

Agreed Financing Plan for the Agreed State Sector PIP for FY 2005-06 and 2006-07

(Year-wise, separately,)

 

#

Item / purpose

Agreed outlays and source of funding (Rs lakh)

 

 

Grant-in-aid from MoHFW

State share

Other sources (*)  

Total

 

A: RCH-II Resource Envelope

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B: NRHM related activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C:  Immunization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D: Implementation of (on-going) National Disease Control Programmes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E: Intersectoral Convergence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F:  Activities not included in A, B or C above

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(*): Includes State Health Systems projects, State Partnership Projects, Finance Commission awards, projects / schemes funded through Global Funds and/or Global Partnerships in the health sector and projects / schemes being (or proposed to be) funded outside the State budget.   

 


APPENDIX II(a)

 

 

 

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT INDICATORS

 

 

 

A. Finance and HRD related indicators

1.                   Qualified and skilled finance manpower in place & trained:

-         At State level

-         At District level

 

2.                   Vacancy Position of the Finance and Accounts Staff:

 

 

No. of Sanctioned Posts

No. of Staff in position

No. of Vacancy

Since when Vacant

(Give date)

Reason for Vacancy

Action Plan & time  frame for filling up the vacancy

State level

 

 

 

 

 

 

District level

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.                   Integration and empowerment of finance personnel into the system:

-         Organograms of State and District level finance staff submitted to GoI

-         GO issued specifying duties and channel of reporting.

 

4.                   Training of Finance personnel completed:

-         State level finance and accounts staff trained by GoI

-         District level finance and accounts staff trained by State Government.

 

5.                   Dotted line relationship with the Central FMG:

-     Performance of contractual Finance and Accounts staff evaluated on yearly basis and evaluation sheet forwarded to FMG, MoH&FW, GoI.

-     Concurrence of central FMG taken for yearly extension of tenure of finance and accounts staff.

           

 

 

B.            Financial Empowerment related indicators

1.       Delegation of adequate Financial and Administrative Powers:

- Govt. Order (GO) or resolution of SCOVA delegating the financial and administrative powers submitted to GoI:

-         At State level adequate powers delegated to the ED/Project Director

- At District level adequate powers delegated to the CMO

- At PHC/CHC levels, retention and full powers for use of User charges collected there.

2.            Adequate infrastructure facilities, e.g. computers, printers, telephone, fax, internet connection, etc. provided to Finance and Accounts staff:

-  at State level

- at District level.

 

C.            Financial Performance Related Indicators

 

1.                  Financial Report (Quarterly, in the format prescribed)

QUARTERLY

State

Timely (within a month after the end of quarter)

Delay of 1 Month

Delay of 2 Months

Delay over 2 Months

No. of Districts omitted

Quality of Financial Reports

Action taken to overcome delays in future

 

 

2.            Audited Statement of Accounts & Audit reports

ANNUAL

State

Timely by 31st July

Delay of 1 Month

Delay of 2 Months

Delay over 2 Months

No. of Districts omitted

Quality of audit Reports

No. of Audit observations

Action taken to overcome delays in future

 

 

3.            Utilisation Certificates

ANNUAL

State

Timely, along with Audited Statements of Accounts by 31st July

Delay of 1 Month

Delay of 2 Months

Delay over 2 Months

Quality of UCs submitted

Action taken to overcome delays in future

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix - II (b)

Performance Indicators

 

Institutional process performance targets whereby release of [2006/7] flexible pool resources will be decided

 

 

Indicator

Source

Target level of achievement set by the state*

Date on which the indicator is to be measured

1.

% of ANM positions filled

State reports and quarterly management reviews

 

 

2.

% of ASHAs selected

State reports and quarterly management reviews

 

 

3.

% of ASHAs trained

State reports and quarterly management reviews

 

 

4.

% of  Sub-centres submitted UC for Untied Fund

State reports and quarterly management reviews

 

 

5.

% of State and districts having full time program officers including Programme Manager for RCH with financial and administrative powers delegated

Same as above

 

 

6.

% of sample State and District Program Managers received training as prescribed under the programme

Management review

 

 

7.

% of sampled state and district program managers whose performance was reviewed during the past six months

Management review

 

 

8.

% of Districts not having at least one month stocks of  essential drugs supplied by various programmes, e.g.

(a)     Anti-TB drugs

(b)     Measles vaccine

(c)     Oral Contraceptive pills

(d)  Gloves

MIS

 

 

9.

% of Districts with integrated societies

MIS

 

 

10.

% of Districts with Quality Assurance Committees

MIS

 

 

11.

% of District Action Plans ready

MIS

 

 

12.

% of facilities with Hospital Management Society

MIS

 

 

13.

% of districts reporting quarterly financial performance in time

FMR

 

 

14.

% of district plans with specific activities to reach vulnerable communities

Management reviews

 

 

15.

% of sampled districts that were able to implement M&E triangulation involving communities

Management reviews

 

 

16.

% of sampled outreach sessions where guidelines for AD syringe use and safe disposal are followed

Quality reviews

 

 

17.

% of sampled FRUs following agreed infection control and healthcare waste disposal procedures

Quality reviews

 

 

18.

% of 24 hrs PHCs conducting minimum of 10 deliveries/month

MIS and quality reviews

 

 

19.

% of upgraded FRUs offering 24 hr. emergency obstetric care services

MIS and quality reviews

 

 

20.

% of CHCs upgraded to IPHS

MIS

 

 


                                        APPENDIX  II-C

 

Output indicators from Mid Term and End Line Surveys, to be used to determine releases from 2008/9 onwards.

 

The states are to set target levels of achievement for these indicators based on their own assessments.

  1. Contraceptive prevalence rate
  2. % eligible couples using any spacing method for more than 6 months
  3. % of women delivered during past one year who received 100 IFA tablets
  4. % deliveries conducted by skilled providers (doctors, nurses or ANMs)
  5. % of 24 hrs PHCs conducting minimum of 10 deliveries/month
  6. % of upgraded FRUs offering 24 hr. emergency obstetric care services
  7. % of 12-23 months children fully immunized
  8. % of mothers and newborn children visited within 2 weeks of delivery by a trained community level health provider/AWW or health staff (ANM/Nurse/Doctor)
  9. % of children suffering from diarrhea during past 2 weeks received Oral Rehydration Solution
  10. Polio free status achieved since
  11. No. of  institutions upgraded to IPHS.
  12. Selection and training of ASHA (pertinent for EAG States, J&K and Assam).

 

 

Indicators suggested for Performance Bonus

 

% of allocated funds for the year used

<10%

10-20%

20-30%

30-40%

40-50%

50-60%

60-70%

70-80%

80-90%

>90%

Score

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

% contributed by SC/ST populations among deliveries reported by public facilities (Non EAG states)*

<10%

 

10-20%

>20%

Score

3

6

10

% achievement of planned immunization coverage among SC/ST population (EAG states)*

<10%

10-20%

20-30%

30-40%

40-50%

50-60%

60-70%

70-80%

80-90%

>90%

Score

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

 

It is proposed to give equal weight for disbursements and improved program performance. The focus of performance would be on improving immunization performance in EAG states while for non-EAG states, institutional deliveries which also cover early newborn care could be considered. For both, the attention would be on improving coverage for SC/ST populations which has to be validated by independent agencies. These indicators would be appropriately modified to suit the needs of the states.

Performance based disbursements

From fiscal year 2006/7 onwards the MoH&FW would decide whether to release an amount of flexible pool resources in addition to that specified above for encouraging good performance. The release to [state or UT] would be set by the following formula :

Release = Rs [ ] crore x

{      (50 x % of funds allocated by the state and central government for the previous year disbursed) +

(25 x % of SC/ST deliveries attended by ANM/nurse/doctor) +

(25 x % achieved of planned measles coverage among [SC/ST/Below Poverty-Line] population)}                                      


 

                                                                             

 

 

 

 

 



[1]     The NRHM MoUs are to be executed by September, 2005 on the basis of a State NRHM Action Plan.

 

[2] The Sector Action Plan is to be evolved from the agreed RCH-II PIPs to include National Disease Control Programmes, AYUSH and State’s share (including the resources sought to be accessed from the funds directly flowing under the State Health Systems Projects of the World Bank 12th Finance Commission, and State Partnership Programmes of other Development Partners).

 

[3]  At least water, sanitation and nutrition sectors.  The convergence plan has to list out specific action points and the time schedule for their implementation. 

 

[4]  Institutional reforms would relate to the ‘architectural correction’ referred to in the NRHM documents such as re-structuring and decentralization of cadres, delegation of financial and administrative authority to the PRIs, streamlining and strengthening of support systems (logistics, MIS, IEC etc.) etc.

 

[5]   The financing plan shall be drawn on the basis of the agreed State PIP.

 

[6]  The MoHFW will switch over to a six-monthly funds release system with effect from April, 2005. The first six-monthly installment will be released on the basis of the agreed RCH-II PIP and the agreed outlays for the other on-going programmes after submission of a Letter of Undertaking by the State (As per Annexure B1 of RCHII National PIP). 

 

[7]   Second installment of FY 2005-06 shall be made after submission of the following:

 

 

[8]    Every State has to propose a set of performance indicators while submitting its State Sector PIP.  An illustrative list is given at the draft Appendix-II which is arranged under two categories: mandatory performance indicators and voluntary.  It be noted that many of the actions on the mandatory indicators may be completed well within FY 2005-06 itself, even before the NRHM MoU is executed. These have been listed in the mandatory list to remind the States of their importance.

[9]  The Governing Body of the State Health Society is to be headed by the Chief Secretary/Development Commissioner.  The Rules / bye-laws of State Health Society provide for a permanent secretariat headed by the Mission Director and having a multi-disciplinary team of experts and consultants to provide management support to mainstream implementing agencies / line Departments.   The secretariat of the State Health Society shall also perform the functions of the secretariat of the State Health Mission.

 

[10]   The MoHFW recommends that the various Departments under the Health and Family Welfare sector may be brought under a single Secretary / Principal Secretary.  

 

[11]   Specific State level arrangements will have to be specified in the draft State Sector PIP and certified copies of the rules / bye-laws appended to the MoU.

 

[12]     Especially in the 18 high focus States.

[13]  Mandatory performance indicator.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[15]   The MoHFW are introducing an electronic funds transfer system in a phased manner, which may be through other than a nationalized bank.