National Health Mission (NHM) India Explained by Pothireddy Surendranath Reddy: Comprehensive Guide, Objectives, Components, Achievements, Implementation, Policy Impact, and Future Roadmap
National Health Mission (NHM)
India Explained by Pothireddy Surendranath Reddy: Comprehensive Guide,
Objectives, Components, Achievements, Implementation, Policy Impact, and Future
Roadmap
National Health Mission India Explained | NHM
India Overview, Goals, Strategies, Components & Key Initiatives by
Pothireddy Surendranath Reddy
National
Health Mission (NHM) is an umbrella
public health initiative of the Government of India, aimed at ensuring
equitable, affordable, and quality healthcare services for all citizens,
with a special focus on maternal and child health, communicable and
non-communicable disease control, health infrastructure strengthening, and
inclusive health delivery across rural and urban areas. Launched in 2013
by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, NHM subsumes the National
Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM)
and acts as the backbone of India’s public health strategy for improving health
outcomes, reducing mortality rates, and strengthening the health system. Wikipedia
Watch video
click ; National Health Mission India
🔗 Official and Relevant Links
· 🏥 Official National Health Mission Website:
https://nhm.gov.in
· 🏥 NHM Nagaland – Vision & Objectives
(State NHM): https://www.nhmnagaland.in/about.aspx National Health Mission Nagaland
· 📊 Overview of NHM Achievements (Government
of India PM Portal):
https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/cabinet-approves-achievements-under-national-health-mission-2021-24/
Prime Minister of India
· 📘 NHM Components and Services: https://nhmtvm.com/about-us/nhm-components/ NHM TVM
Table of Contents
1. Introduction to National Health Mission
2. Historical Background and Policy Framework
3. Vision, Mission, and Core Objectives
4. Components of NHM
5. Implementation Structure (National → State →
District)
6. Key Programs & Strategic Initiatives
7. Achievements and Impact
8. Core Services and Health Delivery Mechanisms
9. Human Resources, Training and Workforce
Strategy
10. Disease Prevention and Control under NHM
11. Universal Immunization and Maternal-Child
Health
12. Digital Health and Health Information Systems
13. Financing and Funding Model
14. Challenges and Limitations
15. Innovations and Future Roadmap
16. Policy, Governance, and Accountability
17. Community Engagement and ASHA Workers
18. Global Health Context & Comparisons
19. Case Studies: Success Stories & Local
Impact
20. Conclusion
1. Introduction to National Health Mission
The National
Health Mission (NHM) is India’s flagship initiative to strengthen the
public health system and achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
NHM prioritizes equitable access to quality healthcare, particularly for
vulnerable populations, including women, children, elderly, tribal
communities, and the urban poor. Under NHM, the Indian government seeks to
integrate public health functions across rural and urban areas while focusing
heavily on health infrastructure, manpower, and preventive care systems.
NITI Aayog
2. Historical Background and Policy Framework
The NHM
evolved from earlier health sector reforms aimed at improving service delivery,
reducing mortality, and addressing persistent public health gaps. The National
Rural Health Mission (NRHM) was launched in 2005 to address rural
health challenges and systemic weaknesses. Over time, recognizing similar
challenges in urban areas, the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) was
developed. In 2013, these missions were consolidated under the National
Health Mission (NHM) to unify governance and expand the reach of public
health interventions. Wikipedia
The NHM
aligns with India’s broader health policy priorities and global
frameworks such as Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being).
It also enables inter-sectoral convergence with sanitation, nutrition, women’s
empowerment, and disease surveillance systems to address social determinants
of health.
3. Vision, Mission, and Core Objectives
Vision
The NHM
strives to create a responsive, accessible, and accountable public health
system across India, offering quality care from grassroots to tertiary
levels.
Mission
· To improve health indicators,
particularly maternal and child mortality.
· To expand equitable access to quality
health services, including immunization, nutrition, sanitation, and
hygiene.
· To integrate disease prevention and control
into primary care.
· To strengthen health infrastructure, human
resources, and management systems.
· To promote healthy lifestyles and
awareness campaigns.
· To incorporate traditional health systems
(AYUSH) into public health service delivery. National Health Mission Nagaland+1
4. Components of NHM
NHM’s
structure is built around key components and strategic clusters of
health services:
4.1 Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child
& Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A)
Focuses on
complete life cycle health—fertility care, pregnancy care, safe delivery,
neonatal survival, child growth monitoring, and adolescent health. NITI Aayog
4.2 Health System Strengthening (HSS)
Crucial for
enhancing health infrastructure such as primary health centres, community
health centres, district hospitals, telemedicine systems, mobile medical units
(MMU), and decentralised health planning. NHM TVM
4.3 Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Control
Includes
programs for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, mental health, oral
health, elderly care, and palliative care. NHM TVM
4.4 Communicable Disease Control
Addresses
vector-borne diseases, tuberculosis, leprosy, HIV/AIDS, and surveillance
systems like IDSP. NHM TVM
4.5 Infrastructure Development
Strengthening
health facilities to meet Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS), and
upgrading SCs, PHCs, CHCs, and hospitals. NHM TVM
5. Implementation Structure (National → State
→ District)
NHM is
implemented through a multi-tiered decentralized structure:
· National Level: Monitored by the Ministry of Health &
Family Welfare and National Health Mission Directorate with technical support
from bodies like NHSRC (National Health Systems Resource Centre).
· State Level: Each state has a State Health Society managing NHM at the state level.
· District Level: District Health Mission bodies implement
plans tailored to local needs.
This
decentralized structure enables local health planning, resource allocation,
and accountability.
6. Key Programs & Strategic Initiatives
NHM
includes numerous campaigns and policies:
· Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK): Free maternal and infant care services.
· Mission Indradhanush: Intensive immunization coverage campaign.
· ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist)
Program: Community health workforce
empowerment.
· Blood Safety & Transfusion Services
· Free Drugs & Diagnostics Service
Initiative
· Child Health & Nutrition Programs
· TB Elimination Programs: e.g., National TB Elimination Programme
(NTEP) under NHM. NHM TVM+1
7. Achievements and Impact
NHM has
significantly improved India’s health outcomes:
Disease Control & Mortality Reduction
· TB incidence reduced from 237 to 195 per
1,00,000 population (2015–2023). Prime Minister of India
· Malaria cases and death rates have shown
progressive declines. Prime Minister of India
· Kala-azar has reached <1 case per 10,000 in
endemic areas. Prime Minister of India
Immunization
· Measles-Rubella Campaign under Mission
Indradhanush immunized 34.77 crore+ children, reaching nearly 98% coverage. Prime Minister of India
Dialysis & Chronic Care
· Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme has delivered 62.35 lakh+ hemodialysis
sessions for 4.53 lakh+ patients. Prime Minister of India
Sickle Cell Screening
· Large-scale tribal screening efforts towards
elimination goals by 2047. Prime Minister of India
Digital Health
· U-WIN platform ensures real-time vaccination tracking in 36
states/UTs. Prime Minister of India
8. Core Services and Health Delivery
Mechanisms
Primary Healthcare
NHM
bolsters primary healthcare by strengthening:
· Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs)
· Community Health Centres (CHCs)
· Primary Health Centres (PHCs)
· Sub-Centres (SCs)
These
centres deliver preventative, curative, promotive, and rehabilitative services.
9. Human Resources, Training & Workforce
Strategy
NHM focuses
on:
· Training and deploying frontline workers like ASHAs,
ANMs, and CHOs
· Multi-skilling healthcare staff and
incentivizing rural placements
· Capacity building through dedicated institutes
and continuous mentoring
10. Disease Prevention and Control under NHM
NHM plays a
central role in preventing and managing communicable diseases:
· Tuberculosis (TB)
· Malaria and Kala-azar
· Leprosy
· HIV/AIDS Surveillance
· Vector-borne disease control
Additionally,
non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancers
are addressed through targeted interventions. NHM TVM
11. Universal Immunization and Maternal-Child
Health
NHM drives
immunization and maternal health via:
· Mission Indradhanush campaigns
· Ensuring free vaccines for children and
pregnant women
· Integrating nutrition, sanitation, and
antenatal services
This has
helped reduce infant and maternal mortality rates, life-long disease
burden, and neonatal complications.
12. Digital Health and Health Information
Systems
Under NHM,
digital platforms like the U-WIN enhance real-time tracking of
vaccination, provider services, and patient records. This facilitates
transparency, efficiency, and evidence-based decision-making. Prime Minister of India
13. Financing and Funding Model
NHM uses a central-state
cost-sharing model (commonly 60:40, varying by state), ensuring shared
financial responsibility and flexibility for local health priorities.
14. Challenges and Limitations
Despite
successes, NHM faces structural challenges such as:
· Uneven health infrastructure across states
· Human resource shortages in remote regions
· Logistic and supply chain management issues
· Behavioural barriers affecting service
utilization
15. Innovations and Future Roadmap
To
strengthen public health, future NHM initiatives include:
· Telemedicine and digital health integration
· Expanded community health workforce
· Enhanced chronic disease management
· Public-private partnership models
16. Policy, Governance, and Accountability
NHM
emphasizes:
· Robust monitoring mechanisms (e.g., Common Review Missions)
· Evidence-based planning
· Decentralized decision-making
· Regular progress evaluation and public
reporting
17. Community Engagement and ASHA Workers
Accredited
Social Health Activists (ASHAs) are
central to NHM’s grassroots operations, linking communities to health systems,
advocating for immunization, sanitation, maternal care, and disease awareness.
Their work has been pivotal in raising health outcomes at the village level. Public Administration Institute
18. Global Health Context & Comparisons
NHM’s
scale, structure, and public health integration place India among significant
global public health initiatives aimed at achieving SDGs and measurable health
outcomes.
19. Case Studies: Success Stories & Local
Impact
NHM’s
localized impact includes:
· Increased institutional deliveries in states
like Haryana
· Citizen-led health awareness campaigns (e.g.,
“Stop Diarrhoea”)
· NGO collaborations improving maternal and
nutrition outcomes The Times of India+1
20. Conclusion
The National
Health Mission (NHM) is the cornerstone of India’s healthcare reform
strategy—strengthening infrastructure, reducing disease burden, expanding
universal access, and responding to emergent public health needs. Through
strategic programs, multi-sectoral partnerships, and community engagement, NHM
continues to transform India’s health landscape and pave the way for a
healthier, equitable future.
Same topic
in other website
https://pothireddysurendranathreddy.github.io/NHM-India/
https://sites.google.com/view/nhmpsnreddy/home
Dr. Pothireddy Surendranath Reddy – Official Links
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