GS 2 – GOVERNANCE
Launched: 2013
Objective: To provide universal, affordable, and quality healthcare services, responding to people’s needs.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive Primary Healthcare:
- Establishment of Health and Wellness Centers for preventive, curative, and palliative care.
- Maternal and Child Healthcare:
- Programs like Janani Suraksha Yojana and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram to promote institutional deliveries and reduce maternal and infant mortality.
- National Disease Control Programs:
- Management of communicable and non-communicable diseases, such as the National Vector-Borne Disease Control Program.
- Free Drugs and Diagnostics:
- Providing free drugs and diagnostics through the Free Drugs Service Initiative.
- Strengthening Rural Healthcare:
- Establishment of Sub-centers and Community Health Centers in rural areas for accessible healthcare.
- Community Participation:
- Formation of Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committees for local community involvement in health planning.
Achievements:
- Reduction in Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR):
- NHM helped reduce MMR by 83% since 1990, from 39 in 2014 to 28 in 2020.
- Enhanced Birth Control:
- Reduced the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) from 2.3 in 2015 to 2.0 in 2020, below the replacement rate (2.1).
- Improved Healthcare Infrastructure:
- Increased healthcare workforce, with 5.23 lakh workers in FY 2023-24.
- Managing Diseases:
- Strengthened the system to address diseases like Tuberculosis.
Challenges:
- Human Resource Deficiency:
- Shortage of 2 million nurses and paramedics.
- Infrastructural Shortage:
- India needs 2.4 million more hospital beds to meet WHO standards.
- Budget Constraints:
- India allocates only 1.9% of its GDP to healthcare, below the 2.5% target.
- Regional Disparities:
- Rural areas, with 68% of the population, have only 23% of the healthcare infrastructure.
Suggestions for Improvement:
- Enhancing Budget Allocation:
- Raise healthcare budget to 2.5% of GDP and aim for 3.5%.
- Fostering Private Investment:
- Explore funding through healthcare bonds and partnerships with private companies.
- Long-term Research Investment:
- Focus on genetic disorders and lifestyle-related health issues through research, e.g., Genome India project.
- Decentralization of Healthcare:
- Empower Community Healthcare Centers with autonomy, trained staff, and updated infrastructure.
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MAINS QUESTION
Discuss the key features and achievements of the National Health Mission (NHM) launched in 2013. How has the mission contributed to improving maternal and child health in India?
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