National Health Mission

Why is in news? Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya lays the foundation stone and inaugurates infrastructure projects under PM-ABHIM, NHM and XV-FC Health Grants

We must continuously strive to strengthen our healthcare systems to ensure their resilience in the face of a pandemic and harness their ability to provide affordability and accessibility of healthcare services in the innermost areas of the nation.”

This was stated by the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare as he laid the foundation stone and inaugurated various health infrastructure projects under Pradhan Mantri - Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), National Health Mission (NHM) and XV Finance Commission Health Grants in Guwahati, Assam.

About NHM:

The National Health Mission (NHM) was launched by the government of India in 2005 subsuming the National Rural Health Mission and National Urban Health Mission.

It was further extended in March 2018, to continue until March 2020.

It is headed by Mission Director and monitored by National Level Monitors appointed by the Government of India.

The schemes launched under NHM are available free of cost to all income groups visiting in Public Health Facilities at sub district and district level.

Within the broad national parameters and priorities, states would have the flexibility to plan and implement state specific action plans.

Main program components include Health System Strengthening (RMNCH+A) in rural and urban areas- Reproductive-Maternal- Neonatal-Child and Adolescent Health, and Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases.

NHM envisages achievement of universal access to equitable, affordable and quality health care services that are accountable and responsive to the needs of the people.

The NUHM covers slum dwellers and other marginalized groups of all cities/ towns with a population of more than 50,000, as towns below 50,000 population are already covered under the NRHM.

Since 2005, the NRHM has led to improvement in healthcare delivery service through better infrastructure, drugs, and equipment and availability of human resources in health facilities at different levels in rural areas.

The gains of the flagship programme of NRHM will be strengthened under the umbrella of NHM which will have universal coverage. The focus on covering rural areas and rural population will continue.

A major component of NHM is proposed to be a Scheme for providing primary health care to the urban poor, particularly those residing in slums.

Support under NHM to States/UTs includes provision of a host of free services such as maternal health, child health, adolescent health, family planning, universal immunization programme, and for major diseases such as Tuberculosis, HIV/ AIDS, vector borne diseases like Malaria, Dengue and Kala Azar, Leprosy etc.

Other initiatives include Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) (under which free drugs, free diagnostics, free blood and diet, free transport from home to institution, between facilities in case of a referral and drop back home is provided), Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) (which provides newborn and child health screening and early interventions services free of cost for birth defects, diseases, deficiencies and developmental delays to improve the quality of survival), implementation of Free Drugs and Free Diagnostics Service Initiatives and PM National Dialysis Programme.

Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) & Telemedicine are also being implemented with NHM support to improve healthcare access particularly in rural areas.