National Health Mission

National Health Mission (NHM)

The National Health Mission (NHM) is a comprehensive health initiative launched by the Government of India in 2013, aimed at enhancing healthcare access, particularly in rural areas, and strengthening the country's health systems. The NHM subsumes the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) as its main components, focusing on a wide range of health-related issues, including maternal and child health, disease control, and accessibility to healthcare services.

Introduction

The NHM represents a strategic consolidation of India's health sector aimed at achieving universal access to equitable, affordable, and quality healthcare services. It is tailored to cater to the health needs of the underserved and marginalized populations in both rural and urban settings.

Healthcare workers providing services in a rural Indian village under the NHM.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the NHM include:

• Reduction in child and maternal mortality rates
• Universal access to public health services with an emphasis on services addressing women's and children's health and universal immunization
• Prevention and control of communicable and non-communicable diseases
• Access to integrated comprehensive primary healthcare
• Population stabilization, gender, and demographic balance
• Revitalization of local health traditions and mainstream AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy)

Components

National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)

Launched in 2005, focusing on providing effective healthcare to rural populations throughout India, with special attention to 18 states with poor health indicators.

National Urban Health Mission (NUHM)

Initiated to address health concerns of the urban poor, this component emphasizes the development of public health infrastructure in urban areas of the country.

Achievements

The NHM has made significant progress in improving health outcomes across India:

• Enhanced infrastructure and increased healthcare workforce in rural and underserved areas
• Improved maternal and child health through Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) and Mission Indradhanush
• Increased disease control measures for communicable diseases

Challenges

Despite its achievements, the NHM faces several challenges:

• Persistent disparities in health outcomes across states and regions
• Need for increased healthcare financing
• Integration of non-communicable diseases into primary healthcare settings

Future Directions

The future of the NHM involves:

• Strengthening health systems and infrastructure
• Enhancing the quality of healthcare services
• Integrating innovative technologies for better healthcare delivery
• Focusing on the sustainability of health programs and interventions

See Also

• Public Health in India
• Primary Healthcare
• Maternal Health in India
• Healthcare in Rural India

External Links

• National Health Mission Official Website
• World Health Organization: National Health Mission

References

• "National Health Mission: An Overview." Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
• "Challenges and Opportunities for the National Health Mission." The Indian Journal of Public Health.

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