New Delhi, Feb 8 (ANI): The third meeting of the International Advisory Panel on National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) is scheduled to meet here tomorrow under the chairmanship of the Union Health Minister Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss.

Besides reviewing the progress of the NRHM, the major issues that will be discussed include, process of health structure reforms, financing, including insurance and risk protection for the poor, improving nutrition and maternal and child health (MCH), public health approaches for HIV and AIDS.

Among the members of the international advisory panel are Dr Jeffrey D. Sachs, the Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University; Dr Charles Gardner, the Advisor to the World Health Organization; Dr Usha Kiran of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Dr Kedar Mate of the Partners in Health.

The first meeting of the Advisory Panel was held in August 2006.

The NRHM has since progressed in various fields. Over four lakh trained ASHAs and community workers working actively in the field to connect households with health facilities.

As many as 8756 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) have been made 24X7, against 1634 before NRHM.

17,600 Rogi Kalyan Samitis have been established in DHs, CHCs and PHCs.

509 Integrated District Health Action Plans completed and 189 districts have functional Mobile Medical Units. (ANI)