Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), which measures maternal deaths per lakh live births, has declined by 25% from 130 per lakh in 2014-16 to 97 per lakh in 2018-20. This remarkable achievement surpasses the global decline of 45%.
The National Health Mission (NHM) has been a cornerstone of India’s healthcare transformation over the past several years. Established to enhance the accessibility, affordability, and quality of healthcare services, NHM has made remarkable strides in improving public health outcomes across the nation. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, recently highlighted the progress achieved under NHM, with significant improvements in key health indicators and disease elimination programs.
Strengthening Healthcare Workforce and Infrastructure
One of the NHM’s greatest achievements has been the expansion of India’s healthcare workforce. Between 2021 and 2024, over 12 lakh healthcare workers were engaged across the country. This included general duty medical officers (GDMOs), specialists, nurses, AYUSH doctors, and community health officers (CHOs). The integration of such a large number of healthcare professionals into India’s health system has greatly enhanced healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved areas. With the involvement of more than 5.2 lakh healthcare workers in FY 2023-24 alone, NHM has effectively strengthened the healthcare infrastructure and contributed to improving the quality of care available at the grassroots level.
Achievements in Health Indicators
Under NHM, India has made significant progress in improving key health indicators. Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), which measures maternal deaths per lakh live births, has declined by 25% from 130 per lakh in 2014-16 to 97 per lakh in 2018-20. This remarkable achievement surpasses the global decline of 45%. Similarly, the Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) has seen a 75% reduction, from 45 per 1,000 live births in 2014 to 32 in 2020, outpacing the global decline of 60%. The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) also reduced from 39 per 1,000 live births in 2014 to 28 in 2020. Additionally, India’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has dropped from 2.3 in 2015 to 2.0 in 2020, bringing the country closer to its sustainable development goals (SDGs) in maternal and child health.
These figures not only reflect improvements in healthcare delivery but also the increasing effectiveness of NHM initiatives, which focus on maternal and child health as a top priority. With India on track to meet its SDG targets by 2030, the progress made in the last decade has been a significant milestone.
Disease Elimination and Control
In addition to improving maternal and child health, NHM has driven success in the elimination and control of various diseases. The National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) has led to a reduction in the incidence and mortality of tuberculosis (TB), with TB incidence dropping from 237 per 100,000 in 2015 to 195 per 100,000 in 2023. Similarly, India has made strides in malaria control, with a reduction in malaria-related deaths and cases over the years. The Kala-Azar elimination efforts have been particularly successful, with the target of reducing cases to less than one per 10,000 population being met across all endemic regions by 2023.
Other notable health initiatives include the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, which has registered over 1.5 lakh volunteers, and the expansion of the National Dialysis Programme, providing over 62 lakh hemodialysis sessions. Additionally, the launch of the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission in 2023, aimed at eliminating sickle cell disease by 2047, has already screened over 2.6 crore individuals in tribal areas.
Digital Health Revolution
NHM has also embraced digital health innovations to improve healthcare delivery. The launch of the U-WIN platform in 2023 has ensured timely and efficient vaccination administration for pregnant women, infants, and children across India. By the end of FY 2023-24, the platform had expanded to 65 districts, streamlining the vaccination process and enhancing immunization coverage.
Emergency Services and Rural Healthcare Expansion
The NHM’s focus on rural healthcare expansion is another remarkable feature of the mission. Over 12,000 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) have been converted to 24/7 services, ensuring continuous healthcare access in rural areas. Furthermore, the expansion of mobile medical units (MMUs), now numbering over 1,400, has been critical in reaching remote and underserved regions of the country. These MMUs, coupled with the introduction of the MMU Portal, have strengthened monitoring and data collection efforts to track healthcare indicators, especially for vulnerable tribal populations.
Public Health Campaigns and Awareness
NHM has actively engaged in addressing public health concerns such as tobacco use and snakebite envenoming. The sustained public awareness campaigns, coupled with stricter enforcement of tobacco control laws, have contributed to a 17.3% reduction in tobacco use over the past decade. Additionally, the National Action Plan for Snakebite Envenoming (NAPSE), launched in 2022, has focused on preventing snakebites, educating the public, and improving treatment options.
Moving Towards a Healthier Future
The National Health Mission’s achievements are a testament to India’s commitment to improving healthcare for all, particularly the most vulnerable segments of society. Through continuous efforts to enhance healthcare workforce capacity, strengthen health infrastructure, and reduce disease burdens, NHM has played an instrumental role in the country’s progress toward its health goals.
As India continues its journey to becoming a healthier nation, the NHM’s focus on accessible and affordable healthcare, disease elimination, and improved public health outcomes remains central. With its ongoing efforts, NHM is not only ensuring better health for India’s citizens but is also positioning India to meet its health-related SDGs ahead of the 2030 deadline.
In conclusion, the success of NHM highlights the transformative power of strategic, focused interventions in public health. It is an exemplary model for ensuring that healthcare becomes accessible to all, regardless of geographical location or socioeconomic status, while also paving the way for a healthier future for the nation.
