344 / 354
305
National Health Profile 2018
Programme took up the challenge and as a result of the hard work and meticulously planned and executed
activities, the country achieved the goal of elimination of leprosy as a public health problem, defined as less than
1 case per 10,000 population, at the National Level in the month of December, 2005.
23. National Mental Health Program (NMHP) (1982)
To address the huge burden of mental disorders and shortage of qualified professionals in the field of mental
health, Government of India has been implementing National Mental Health Program (NMHP) since 1982. The
Program was re-strategized in 2003 to include two schemes, viz. Modernization of State Mental Hospitals and
Up-gradation of Psychiatric Wings of Medical Colleges/General Hospitals. The Manpower development scheme
(Scheme-A & B) became part of the Program in 2009.
The Government has supported the establishment of 23 Centres of Excellence under the National Mental
Health Programme (NMHP) since initiation of Scheme. To address the acute shortage of qualified mental health
professionals in the country, the Central Government, under the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) is
providing support for implementation of manpower development schemes by States/UTs for establishment of
Centres of Excellence and strengthening/ establishment of Post Graduate (PG) Departments in mental health
specialties. These schemes have resulted in increasing the availability of additional Human Resources in the field
of mental health.
24. National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCB) (1976)
National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCB&VI) was launched in the year 1976
with the goal of reducing the prevalence of blindness to 0.3% by 2020. Various activities/initiatives undertaken
during the Five Year Plans under NPCB are targeted towards achieving the goal of reducing the prevalence of
blindness to 0.3% by the year 2020.