Union Cabinet Approves Extension Of National Health Mission Until 2026; Cites Significant Health Achievements

The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the National Health Mission (NHM) for another five years, following a review of its progress over the past three years. Initially launched in 2005 as the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), the NHM has been extended several times, with the latest extension running until 2026.

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted NHM’s crucial role in improving India’s health systems, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. “The mission has ensured accessible and quality healthcare services across the country, significantly contributing to India’s public health improvements,” a cabinet statement noted.

The NHM’s initiatives have accelerated progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) health targets, positioning India to meet these goals well ahead of the 2030 deadline, Goyal added.

Achievements Since 2021 Extension

Since its last extension in 2021, NHM has driven remarkable maternal and child health, disease control, and healthcare infrastructure advancements.

• Maternal and Infant Mortality: The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) declined by 25%, from 130 per 100,000 live births in 2014-16 to 97 in 2018-20. Similarly, the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) dropped from 39 per 1,000 live births in 2014 to 28 in 2020.
• Workforce Expansion: Between FY22 and FY24, NHM recruited over 1.2 million healthcare workers, including medical officers, specialists, nurses, Ayush doctors, and public health managers.
• COVID-19 Vaccination: NHM facilitated the administration of 2.2 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses between January 2021 and March 2024.

The NHM has also made significant progress in disease elimination and non-communicable disease management:

• Tuberculosis (TB): Under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP), TB incidence reduced from 237 per 100,000 population in 2015 to 195 in 2023, with mortality dropping from 28 to 22 during the same period.
• Programmes Expansion: Initiatives like the Measles-Rubella Elimination Campaign, Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme, and National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission have expanded under NHM’s purview.

The extension underscores NHM’s transformative impact on healthcare, aligning with India’s goal of providing equitable and quality health services nationwide.

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