About National Health Mission (NHM)
The Union Cabinet approved the continuation of the National Health Mission (NHM)for another five years.
- About National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)
- The NHM, launched in 2005 as the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), aimed to improve public health systems and provide affordable and quality healthcare, especially in rural areas and for vulnerable groups.
- In 2012, the mission expanded to include the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM)to address urban healthcare needs, which led to the restructuring of NRHM into the broader National Health Mission (NHM).
- Achievements: Over the past decade, the NHM has achieved significant milestones:
- Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR)declined by 25 per cent, from 130 per 100,000 live births in 2014-16 to 97 per 100,000 in 2018-20.
- Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)dropped from 39 per 1,000 live births in 2014 to around 28 in 2020.
- Healthcare Workforce: Between 2021 and 2022, nearly 12 lakh health workersjoined the NHM.
- NHM has contributed significantly to reducing the incidence and improving the surveillance of non-communicable diseases (NCDs)such as tuberculosis (TB).
- India has seen a decline in the incidence of TB, from 237 per 100,000 population in 2015 to 195 in 2023. The mortality rate for TB has also dropped from 28 to 22 in the same period.
- COVID-19 Response: NHM played a pivotal role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, utilizing its healthcare facilities and workforce to deliver over 220 crore COVID-19 vaccine dosesfrom January 2021 to March 2024.
- NHM has also overseen the expansion of key programmes, including the
- Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign
- Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme
- National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission
Questions and Answers
What is the National Health Mission (NHM)?
The NHM, launched in 2005 as the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), aims to improve public health systems and provide affordable and quality healthcare, especially for rural and vulnerable populations.
When was the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) added to NHM, and why?
The NUHM was added in 2012 to address urban healthcare needs, expanding the NRHM into the broader National Health Mission (NHM).
What are the significant achievements of NHM?
Key achievements include reducing the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) to 97 per 100,000 live births (2018-20), lowering the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) to 28 per 1,000 live births (2020), and decreasing the TB incidence from 237 to 195 per 100,000 population (2015-2023).
How did NHM contribute during the COVID-19 pandemic?
NHM played a crucial role by utilizing its healthcare facilities and workforce to deliver over 220 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses from January 2021 to March 2024.
What key programmes have been expanded under NHM?
NHM has overseen initiatives like the Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign, Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme, and National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission.
