North News
New Delhi, January 22
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reviewed the progress of the National Health Mission (NHM) during 2021-24. Key achievements include a marked accelerated decline in maternal and child mortality rates, advancements in disease elimination programs, and the launch of new initiatives like the National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission. The NHM has significantly contributed to improving maternal and child health outcomes. Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) decreased from 130 per 100,000 live births in 2014-16 to 97 in 2018-20, a 25% decline. Similarly, the Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) dropped from 45 per 1,000 live births in 2014 to 32 in 2020. Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) fell from 39 per 1,000 live births in 2014 to 28 in 2020, while the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) reduced from 2.3 in 2015 to 2.0 in 2020.
Under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), TB incidence declined from 237 per 100,000 in 2015 to 195 in 2023. Kala-azar was eliminated in all endemic blocks by the end of 2023, achieving the target of fewer than one case per 10,000 population. Malaria cases and deaths showed a mixed trend but remained under vigilant control. Over 34.77 crore children were vaccinated under the Intensified Mission Indradhanush 5.0, achieving a 97.98% coverage.
Between FY 2021-24, NHM added over 12 lakh healthcare professionals, including Community Health Officers, general duty medical officers, nurses, and allied health workers. These resources strengthened grassroots healthcare delivery. NHM played a critical role in managing the COVID-19 pandemic, administering over 220 crore vaccine doses and implementing the Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Package in two phases.
The National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission screened 2.61 crore individuals in tribal regions by March 2024. Other initiatives include the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and the expansion of the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme, which benefited over 4.53 lakh dialysis patients in FY 2023-24.
The U-WIN platform ensured real-time vaccine tracking, expanding to 65 districts by FY 2023-24. Public health facilities certified under National Quality Assurance Standards rose to 7,998, with 1.72 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandir centers operational by March 2024.
NHM established 12,348 24×7 Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and 3,133 First Referral Units (FRUs) nationwide. Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) increased to 1,424, supported by a dedicated MMU Portal for real-time monitoring. The National Action Plan for Snakebite Envenoming launched in FY 2022-23 aims to reduce snakebite fatalities, while tobacco control campaigns contributed to a 17.3% reduction in tobacco use over the past decade.
