India On Track To Achieve SDG Health Targets Ahead Of 2030, Says Government

India is set to meet its Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) health targets well ahead of the 2030 deadline, the government confirmed on Wednesday. The Union Cabinet reviewed the progress of the National Health Mission (NHM) and noted that the mission’s efforts have greatly improved public health outcomes across the country. The NHM has expanded human resources, addressed critical health issues, and enhanced responses to health emergencies, the Cabinet was informed.Over the last three years, NHM has made considerable progress in key areas, including maternal and child health, disease elimination, and healthcare infrastructure. The Cabinet approved the continuation of the mission for the next two years to further achieve SDG health targets.

The Cabinet also highlighted the mission’s successes in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates, controlling diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, and leprosy, and launching new initiatives like the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission.

Boosting Human Resources In Healthcare

NHM has made impressive strides in increasing human resources within the healthcare sector. In 2021-22, it added 2.69 lakh healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and allied professionals. This number grew to 4.21 lakh in 2022-23 and 5.23 lakh in 2023-24. These efforts have significantly improved healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.

Improvement In Key Health Indicators

India has made notable improvements in health indicators under NHM. The maternal mortality ratio has fallen by 25%, from 130 per lakh live births in 2014-16 to 97 per lakh in 2018-20. The under-5 mortality rate decreased from 45 per 1,000 live births in 2014 to 32 in 2020. Similarly, the infant mortality rate dropped from 39 to 28 per 1,000 live births, and the total fertility rate fell from 2.3 to 2.0.

The NHM has been instrumental in disease control, reducing the incidence of tuberculosis from 237 per 1,00,000 people in 2015 to 195 in 2023. Malaria cases and deaths have declined, and kala-azar elimination efforts succeeded in 100% of endemic blocks by 2023. The Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign vaccinated over 34.77 crore children, achieving 97.98% coverage.

The Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, launched in September 2022, has registered 1.56 lakh volunteers supporting over 9.4 lakh TB patients. The Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme provided over 62.35 lakh hemodialysis sessions in FY 2023-24, benefiting more than 4.5 lakh patients. The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission has screened over 2.61 crore individuals in tribal areas.

Digital Initiatives In Public Health

NHM has also tackled public health concerns such as tobacco use and snakebite envenoming. Over the past decade, the mission contributed to a 17.3% reduction in tobacco use. In FY 2022-23, the government launched the National Action Plan for Snakebite Envenoming, focusing on prevention and education.

Digital health has been a priority, with the launch of the U-WIN platform in January 2023. The platform ensures timely vaccination for pregnant women, infants, and children across India. By the end of 2023-24, it expanded to 65 districts in 36 states and Union territories, improving vaccination tracking and coverage.

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