The Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) program was launched in India in 1997 with the objectives of reducing infant and maternal mortality rates and promoting population stabilization. The RCH program provides services related to family planning, child survival, safe motherhood, and prevention and management of reproductive tract infections and HIV/AIDS. RCH Phase 1 from 1997-2005 aimed to improve access to essential maternal and child health services. RCH Phase 2 from 2005-2009 further expanded services and focused on improving quality and access for underserved populations.

1. REPRODUCTIVE AND CHILD
HEALTH PROGRAM
Presented by:
Harsh Rastogi,
M.Sc. Nursing 1st year,
King George’s Medical University,
Institute of Nursing,
Lucknow.

2. Introduction
 The reproductive and child health
program was formally launched by
Gov. of India on 15th Oct 1997.
 As per recommendation of
International Conference on
Population and development held in
Cario in 1994.

3. Definition
 In ICPD at Cairo, Fathallah defined
RCH as “A state of complete, physical,
mental, and social well-being and
merely the absence of disease or
infirmity in all matters relating to
reproductive system and its function
and process.”

4. Cont…
 “States in which people have the
ability to reproduce and regulate their
fertility are able to go through
pregnancy and child birth, the
outcome of pregnancy is successful in
terms of maternal and infant survival
and well-being, and couples are able
to have sexual relation free of the fear
of pregnancy and of contracting
diseases.”

5. Objective
 To promote the health of the mothers
and children to ensure safe
motherhood and child survival.
 The intermediate objective is to
reduce IMR & MMR.
 The ultimate objective is population
stabilization, through responsible
reproductive behavior.

6. Intervention & concept to RCH
 Prevention and management of
unwanted pregnancies.
 Maternal care (safe motherhood)
 Child survival
 Prevention and management of RTIS
/STD
 Prevention of HIV/AIDS

7. Components of RCH
 Following services are included in the
reproductive health area as proposed
by Government of India.
 MAIN COMPONENTS:-
◦ Family planning
◦ Child survival and safe motherhood
program
◦ Prevention /management of RTI/STD and
AIDS

8. Other activities
 Providing counseling, information and
communication services on health,
sexuality and gender difference.
 Referral services for all above
intervention.
 Growth monitoring, nutrition
education, reproductive health
services for adolescents etc.

9. RCH package for various
services
 For maternal services (safe-
motherhood):- The service
components are obstetric care,
infection control and nutrition
promotion.

10. Cont…
 For child services (child survival):-The
essential care of the newborn,
including care of the at risk newborn
by prompt referral service.
◦ Infection control measures.
◦ Nutritional Promotions.

11. Cont…
 Reproductive Health:-
◦ Fertility control
◦ MTP services (for prevention and
management of unwanted Pregnancies.
◦ Adolescent
◦ HIV/ AIDS

12. RCH Programme Phase 1
 Under the RCH Programme Phase 1,
various provision were made to
improve the status of maternal and
child health. These include:-
 Provision of essential & emergency
and essential care.
 Provision of equipment and drug kits
to selected PHCs and selected FRUs
in all districts.

13. Cont…
 Provision for additional ANM, Staff
nurse, and Laboratory technicians for
selected districts.
 Provision for 24 hours delivery
services at PHCs and CHCs.
 Referral transport in case of obstetric
complication.
 Immunization and oral rehydration
therapy.

14. Cont…
 Prevention and control of Vitamin-A
deficiency in children.
 Integrated management of childhood
illness (IMCI).
 District surveys for focused intervention
to reduce IMR and MMR.
 New initiatives undertaken during phase
1 of RCH are:
◦ Setting up of blood storage units at FRUs
◦ Training of MBBS doctors in anesthetic skills
for emergency obstetric care at FRU.

15. Lacunae of RCH Phase 1
They were as follows:-
 The outreach services were not
available to the vulnerable and needy
population.
 The management of financial
resources was inadequate.
 The human resources such as
doctors, nurse, health worker, etc
were deficient.

16. Cont…
 The management information and
evaluation system was lacking.
 The effective network of first referral
units was lacking.
 Quality of services in PHCs and CHCs
was poor.
 Lack of community participation.

17. RCH Programme Phase 2
 It was started from April 1st 2005 up to
2009.
 The RCH 2 vision articulates,
“Improving access, use and quality of
RCH services, especially for the poor
and underserved population.”

18. Aims of RCH 2
 To reduce infant mortality rate,
maternal mortality rate, total fertility
rate, and to increase couple protection
rate and immunization coverage
especially in rural areas.

19. Objectives of RCH 2
 To improve the management
performance.
 To develop human resources
intensively.
 To expand RCH services to tribal
areas also.

20. Cont…
 To monitor and evaluate the services.
 To improve the quality, coverage and
effectiveness of the existing family
welfare services and essential RCH
services with a special focus on the
above mentioned EAG states.

21. Components of RCH 2
 Population stabilization
 Maternal health
 Newborn care
 Child health
 Adolescent health

22. Cont…
 Control of RTI/STIS
 Urban health
 Tribal health
 Monitoring and evaluation
 Other priority areas

23. Bibliography
 Basavanthappa BT, Community Health
Nursing 1st Edition, 1998, Jaypee
Brothers, Delhi, Page no. 319-321.
 Chalkey A. M., A Textbook for the Health
Worker, 1st Edition, 1985, N.A.I. Limited,
Publisher, New Delhi, Page no. 330-340.
 Kumari Neelam, Essentials of
Community Health Nursing, 1st Edition
2011, PV books Jalandhar, Page no.
225-226.

24. Cont…
 Park K., Essentials of Community
Health Nursing, 4th Edition 2004,
Banarasidas Bhanot Publisher,
Jabalpur, Page no. 225-226.
 Swarnkar K., Community Health
Nursing, 2nd Edition 2008, N.R.
Brother, Indore, Page no.639-642.