National Health Agencies in India / Voluntary Health Agencies in India

The voluntary health agencies occupy an important place in community health programme. 

"A voluntary health agency may be defined as an organization that is administered by an autonomous board which holds meetings, collects funds for its support chiefly from private sources and expands money, whether with or without paid workers, in conducting a programme directed primarily to furthering the public health by providing health services or health education, or by advancing research or legislation for health, or by a combination of these activities."

In India there are may voluntary health agencies work at national level at present.

Functions

1. The voluntary health agencies can help strengthen the work of government agencies by leading personnel, or by contributing funds for special equipment, supplies or services.
2. Supporting in education in country.
3. Support in environmental sanitation.
4. Guarding the work of government agencies.
5. Advancing health legislation.
6. Pioneering in research and family planning in India.

List of national health agencies in India

1. Indian Red Cross Society
2. Hind Kusht Nivaran Sangh
3. Indian Council for Child Welfare
4. Tuberculosis association of India
5. Bharat Sevak Samaj
6. Central Social Welfare Board
7. The Kasturba Memorial fund
8. Family Planning Association of India
9. All India Women's Conference 
10. The All India Blind Relief Society
11. Professional Bodies: For example, The Indian Medical Association, All India Licentiates Association, All India Dental Association, The Trained Nurses Association of India etc.

A detail information of these national health agencies of India are given in below ppt