SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has utilised a total of Rs 3,973.67 crore under the National Health Mission (NHM) over the last five years, reflecting substantial investment in healthcare infrastructure and maternal and child health services. This was revealed in a response by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in the Rajya Sabha on December 17.
Between 2019-20 and 2023-24, Jammu and Kashmir saw steady central fund allocations under NHM, with expenditures of Rs 662.56 crore in 2019-20, Rs 657.53 crore in 2020-21, Rs 779.61 crore in 2021-22, Rs 917.02 crore in 2022-23, and Rs 956.95 crore in 2023-24. This consistent utilisation highlights the government’s efforts to improve healthcare access and strengthen medical infrastructure in the region.
The Ministry noted significant strides in reducing maternal and child mortality through programmes such as Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN), Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), and Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) and Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs) have been instrumental in treating newborn complications and childhood malnutrition.
At the national level, India achieved the National Health Policy (2017) target of reducing the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) to below 100 per lakh live births. The MMR fell from 130 in 2014-2016 to 97 in 2018-2020, alongside notable declines in Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR), Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), and Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR).
