National Health Mission Extended

January 23, 2025

The Union Cabinet recently approved the continuation of the National Health Mission (NHM) for additional 5 years. It has emerged as a very important force in enhancing public health across India. Launched to address various health challenges, the NHM has made strides in reducing mortality rates and improving healthcare delivery from 2021 to 2024. The recent assessment by the Central Government marks its achievements and ongoing initiatives.

Key Achievements in Human Resources

NHM has boosted the healthcare workforce:

In FY 2021-22, it engaged 2.69 lakh additional healthcare workers, including doctors and nurses. This number increased to 4.21 lakh in FY 2022-23 and 5.23 lakh in FY 2023-24.
The inclusion of community health officers has been crucial, with 1.29 lakh and 1.38 lakh added in the subsequent years.

Decline in Maternal and Child Mortality Rates

The NHM has achieved a remarkable 83% reduction in maternal mortality since 1990, surpassing the global decline of 45%.
The Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) dropped from 45 per 1,000 live births in 2014 to 32 in 2020.
The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) also fell from 39 to 28 during the same period.

These improvements align India with U.N. Sustainable Development Goals for maternal and child health.

Control of Infectious Diseases

The incidence of tuberculosis decreased from 237 to 195 per 1,00,000 population between 2015 and 2023.
Malaria cases and deaths also declined, with a 13.28% reduction in cases in 2021 compared to 2020.
Kala-azar elimination efforts have achieved 100% success in endemic blocks.

Vaccination Campaigns and Coverage

The Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign under Intensified Mission Indradhanush 5.0 vaccinated over 34.77 crore children, achieving 97.98% coverage. Additionally, NHM has facilitated the administration of over 220 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses from January 2021 to March 2024, utilising an extensive network of healthcare workers.

Specialized Health Initiatives

Various specialised health initiatives have been launched under NHM:

The Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan registered over 1.56 lakh volunteers supporting TB patients.
The National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission screened over 2.61 crore individuals in tribal areas, aiming for elimination by 2047.
The Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme expanded services, providing over 62.35 lakh dialysis sessions.

Addressing Public Health Concerns

NHM has tackled pressing health issues, including tobacco use and snakebite envenoming. Public awareness campaigns have led to a 17.3% reduction in tobacco use over the past decade. The National Action Plan for Snakebite Envenoming was launched in FY 2022-23 to enhance prevention and management strategies.

Digital Health Initiatives

Digital health has been a focus area, with the launch of the U-WIN platform in January 2023. This platform ensures timely vaccination for pregnant women and children, expanding to 65 districts by the end of FY 2023-24. The initiative enhances real-time tracking of immunisations, improving overall coverage. The NHM’s comprehensive approach has not only improved healthcare delivery but also laid the foundation for a healthier future for millions in India.

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