SRINAGAR: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reviewed the progress of the National Health Mission (NHM) for the years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24, highlighting significant strides in disease control and public health outcomes. The NHM has played a pivotal role in improving healthcare accessibility, reducing mortality rates, and managing key diseases across the country.
The National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) has been a cornerstone of NHM’s success, with TB incidence dropping from 237 cases per 1,00,000 population in 2015 to 195 in 2023. The TB mortality rate also reduced from 28 to 22 during this period. Under the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, 1.56 lakh Ni-kshay Mitra volunteers have supported over 9.40 lakh TB patients, further accelerating progress toward elimination.
In the fight against malaria, cases and deaths have seen a mixed trend. Between 2020 and 2023, deaths declined by 7.77 per cent, while enhanced surveillance contributed to a 28.91 per cent increase in reported cases in 2023 compared to 2022, indicating improved detection efforts. Kala-azar elimination efforts achieved a milestone in 2023, with 100 per cent of endemic blocks recording less than one case per 10,000 population.
Dengue, leprosy, and viral hepatitis have also seen focused interventions. The Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign, under Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 5.0, achieved a remarkable 97.98 per cent vaccination coverage, immunising over 34.77 crore children and bolstering India’s progress in controlling vaccine-preventable diseases.
NHM’s efforts have led to significant improvements in maternal and child health. The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) declined from 130 per lakh live births in 2014-16 to 97 per lakh in 2018-20, a 25 per cent reduction. The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) fell from 39 per 1,000 live births in 2014 to 28 in 2020, while the Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) dropped from 45 to 32 during the same period. Additionally, the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) reduced from 2.3 in 2015 to 2.0 in 2020, indicating steady progress toward population stabilisation.
The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, launched in 2023, has screened over 2.61 crore individuals in tribal areas to tackle this genetic disorder, aiming for elimination by 2047. The Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) provided over 62.35 lakh hemodialysis sessions in FY 2023-24, benefiting 4.53 lakh patients with chronic kidney disease.
NHM’s digital health initiatives, such as the U-WIN platform, have improved vaccine administration for pregnant women and children across 65 districts. Healthcare infrastructure has been bolstered with 7,998 public health facilities certified under the National Quality Assurance Standards, and over 1.72 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandir centres are now operational, offering comprehensive care services.
The NHM continues to drive India’s progress in public health, bringing the nation closer to achieving its Sustainable Development Goals well ahead of the 2030 target.
