GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2187
TO BE ANSWERED ON 8.8.2023
“MENSTRUAL HYGIENE SCHEMES”
2187: SHRI SUJEET KUMAR

Will the Minister of HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state?

(a) whether government has boosted the distribution of sanitary napkins in rural areas in the post -COVID scenario;

 (b) if so, the details thereof, district-wise; 

(c) the manner with which Government plans to ensure that Menstrual Hygiene Scheme (MHS) does not suffer from the limitations of gaps in distribution, irregular supply and lack of awareness; 

(d) the details of monetary spending under the MHS for the year 2023-24; and 

(e) the details of beneficiaries under the scheme, State-wise

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) & (b) During the Covid-19 pandemic the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare directed all the States/ UTs to ensure uninterrupted supply of Sanitary Napkins to Adolescent Girls under the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme (MHS) through ASHAs. Under the scheme, 3.27 Cr. adolescent girls were provided sanitary napkin packs during FY 2020-21. There has been a constant increase in the number of beneficiaries under the MHS , with 5.4 Cr. adolescent girls receiving the napkin packs in FY 2022-23. The District wise details are not maintained at the National level. 

(c) Since 2015-16, the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme is supported by National Health Mission through State Programme Implementation Plan (PIP) route based on the proposals received from the States. The States have been instructed to take up procurement of sanitary napkins packs at prices reached through competitive bidding. Health being a State subject the ultimate responsibility of the implementation lies with the States. The scheme is reviewed along with the other programmes and schemes under National Health Mission by the Common Review Mission teams which visit the selected States/ UTs annually.

Communication material targeted at adolescent girls, their guardians, influencers and community at large developed by MoHFW, other partner ministries, States, Development Partners and NGOs are in use to create awareness on healthy practices during menstruation and to dispel the myths and misconception around it. 

(d) and (e) The details of the monetary spending and details of beneficiaries under MHS for FY 2023-24 are placed at ‘Annexure A and B’ respectively.