Achievements under National Health Mission
National Health Mission
• In 2005, the National Rural Health Mission was established with the intention of establishing public health systems at the District Hospitals (DH) level for the purpose of providing rural residents, particularly those who are vulnerable, with affordable, high-quality health care. • The National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) was conceptualized in 2012, and the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) was renamed the National Health Mission (NHM), with the two submissions of the NUHM and NRHM. • The National Health Mission aims for attainment of universal access to equitable, affordable and quality health care services, accountable and responsive to people’s needs, with effective intersectoral convergent action to address the wider social determinants of health.
• It is implemented in all states/UTs in the country.
• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s NHM implementation strategy is to provide states and UTs with financial and technical support so that they can provide District Hospitals (DHs) with accessible, affordable, accountable, and effective healthcare, particularly for the poor and vulnerable. • It has also aimed to bridge the gap in rural healthcare services through improved health infrastructure, augmentation of human resource and improved service delivery in rural areas and has envisaged decentralisation of programme to district level to facilitate need-based interventions, improve intra and inter-sectoral convergence and effective utilisation of resources.
• Health System Strengthening, control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, and reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCH+A) are the primary programmatic components. hospital-21
The major objectives of NHM are:
i) Reduction in child and maternal mortality.
ii) Prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases, including locally endemic diseases.
iii) The availability of comprehensive primary care that is integrated. iv) Population stabilisation, gender equality and demographic balance.
v) Bring mainstream AYUSH and local health practices back to life. vi) Universal access to public services for food and nutrition, sanitation and hygiene and universal access to public health care services with emphasis on services addressing women’s and children’s health and universal immunisation.
vii) Support for healthy habits vaccine-11a
Achievements of National Health Mission
• During the review meeting, the Union Cabinet was informed that the NHM has contributed to improving India’s public health outcomes through its relentless efforts in expanding human resources, addressing critical health issues, and fostering an integrated response to health emergencies.
• Over the last three years, the NHM has driven substantial progress in multiple areas, including maternal and child health, disease elimination, and healthcare infrastructure.
• The mission’s efforts have been integral to India’s health improvements, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and have played a vital role in ensuring more accessible and quality healthcare services across the country.
• The significant expansion of human resources in the healthcare industry is one of NHM’s most significant accomplishments. • In 2021-22, NHM facilitated the engagement of 2.69 lakh additional healthcare workers, including general duty medical officers, specialists, staff nurses, auxiliary nurse midwives, AYUSH doctors, allied healthcare workers, and public health managers. 90,740 community health officers were also involved. • This number grew in subsequent years, with 4.21 lakh additional healthcare professionals engaged in 2022-23, including 1.29 lakh community health officers, and 5.23 lakh workers engaged in 2023-24, which included 1.38 lakh community health officers.
• These efforts have contributed significantly to improving healthcare delivery, especially at the grassroots level.
• Between January 2021 and March 2024, NHM was instrumental in the administration of over 220 crore doses of the COVID-19 vaccine by making use of the existing network of healthcare facilities and employees.