National Health Mission, Objective, Features, Components, Impact

National Health Mission

National Health Mission Objectives

1. Universal Healthcare Access : Ensuring equitable access to healthcare services for all individuals, irrespective of their socio-economic status or geographical location.
2. Improving Health Infrastructure : Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, including hospitals, primary health centers (PHCs), community health centers (CHCs), and sub-centers, to enhance service delivery.
3. Human Resource Development : Developing a skilled workforce of healthcare professionals and community health workers to address the healthcare needs of the population effectively.
4. Preventive Healthcare : Promoting preventive healthcare measures, including immunization, maternal and child health services, and disease control programs, to reduce the burden of preventable illnesses.
5. Promotion of Maternal and Child Health : Ensuring maternal and child health services reach every corner of the country to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates.
6. Control of Communicable Diseases : Implementing strategies for the prevention and control of communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, HIV/AIDS, and vector-borne diseases.
7. Non-Communicable Disease Management : Strengthening healthcare systems for the management and prevention of non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.

National Health Mission Components

1. National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) : Focuses on improving healthcare services in rural areas through the provision of essential medical facilities and promoting community participation in health initiatives.
2. National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) : Extends healthcare services to urban areas, addressing the specific health needs of the urban population and improving the quality of healthcare infrastructure in cities and towns.
3. National Disease Control Programs : Implements disease-specific control programs targeting major health challenges such as malaria, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and vector-borne diseases like dengue and chikungunya.
4. National Health Programs : Comprise various national health programs such as the National Immunization Program, National Maternal and Child Health Program, and National AIDS Control Program, focusing on specific health issues and population groups.
5. Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) : Aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates by promoting institutional deliveries and providing financial assistance to pregnant women.
6. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) : Provides health insurance coverage to below-poverty-line families, enabling them to access cashless treatment in empaneled hospitals.
7. Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) : Aims to provide health coverage of up to ₹5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization, benefiting over 10 crore vulnerable families.

National Health Mission Implementation

1. State Health Mission (SHM) : Each state establishes a State Health Mission to oversee the implementation of NHM activities and coordinate with various stakeholders, including government departments, NGOs, and development partners.
2. District Health Mission (DHM) : At the district level, District Health Missions are formed to ensure the efficient delivery of healthcare services, monitor health indicators, and address local health challenges.
3. Community Participation : NHM emphasizes community participation in healthcare decision-making and implementation. Village Health and Sanitation Committees (VHSCs) and Urban Health Committees (UHCs) facilitate community involvement in planning and monitoring health programs.
4. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) : NHM encourages partnerships with the private sector to leverage their resources and expertise in healthcare service delivery, infrastructure development, and technology innovation.
5. Monitoring and Evaluation : Robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are in place to track the progress of NHM activities, assess the impact of interventions, and make data-driven decisions for continuous improvement.

National Health Mission Achievements

1. Reduction in Maternal and Child Mortality : NHM interventions have contributed to a decline in maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and under-five mortality rate (U5MR) through increased institutional deliveries, improved antenatal care, and child immunization coverage.
2. Expansion of Health Infrastructure : NHM has led to the establishment and upgradation of healthcare facilities, including PHCs, CHCs, and district hospitals, enhancing access to essential healthcare services in rural and urban areas.
3. Control of Communicable Diseases : NHM-supported disease control programs have made significant strides in the prevention and management of diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS, reducing their burden on public health.
4. Promotion of Health Insurance : Initiatives like RSBY and PMJAY have expanded health insurance coverage, providing financial protection to vulnerable populations and enabling them to access quality healthcare services without financial constraints.
5. Empowerment of Women and Communities : NHM has empowered women through programs like JSY, promoting maternal health and encouraging women to seek institutional deliveries. Community participation has increased through the involvement of VHSCs and UHCs in healthcare decision-making.

National Health Mission Challenges and Way Forward

1. Healthcare Infrastructure : The need for strengthening healthcare infrastructure, especially in remote and underserved areas, to ensure universal access to quality healthcare services.
2. Human Resources : Addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals, especially doctors, nurses, and specialists, through recruitment, training, and retention strategies.
3. Health Financing : Ensuring adequate funding for NHM activities and promoting financial sustainability through innovative financing mechanisms and resource allocation.
4. Quality of Care : Enhancing the quality of healthcare services by implementing standards and protocols, improving clinical skills, and fostering a culture of patient-centered care.
5. Health Information Systems : Strengthening health information systems for better data collection, analysis, and monitoring of health indicators to inform evidence-based decision-making.