Why in the News?
The Union Cabinet has approved the extension of the National Health Mission (NHM) for an additional five years(2025 to 2030).
What are the new Components of the NHM and initiatives launched?
What are the key achievements of the National Health Mission during its previous tenure?
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What are the financial implications and commitments associated with the NHM’s extension?
- Budgetary Allocation and Funding Structure: The National Health Mission (NHM) continues based on recommendations from the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) and fixed spending limits. While the mission has been extended, its budget is reviewed regularly to ensure efficient use of resources.
- For funding, most states share costs with the central government in a 60:40 ratio, while northeastern and hilly states follow a 90:10 pattern. This setup ensures states have enough funds to implement health programs effectively.
- Performance-Based Funding: The NHM rewards states with additional funds for improving key health outcomes like maternal and child health. This encourages states to enhance their healthcare systems.
- Local committees, such as Rogi Kalyan Samitis (RKS), also receive untied funds, giving them the flexibility to directly address patient needs and improve services.
- Commitment to Health Targets: By 2025, the NHM aimed to achieve specific health goals, including reducing the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) to 90, the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) to 23, and the Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) to 23. Achieving these targets will require consistent investment in health infrastructure, workforce training, and community programs.
- The government is also focused on tackling broader factors affecting health, such as nutrition and disease prevention while improving access to healthcare for disadvantaged groups.
What are the challenges?
- Infrastructure Deficiencies: Many Primary Health Centres (PHCs) lack essential diagnostic tools, medical equipment, and sanitation facilities. PHCs in remote areas of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh often face electricity and water supply shortages, limiting their ability to deliver quality care.
- Shortage and Distribution of Healthcare Workforce: Despite adding 1.2 million healthcare workers, there remains a shortage of specialists such as gynaecologists, anaesthetists, and paediatricians in rural areas. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh struggle to staff CHCs with specialized doctors.
- Financial Constraints and Inefficient Fund Utilization: Delays in fund disbursement and underutilization of allocated budgets hinder the implementation of key initiatives. Northeastern states like Nagaland and Manipur faced challenges in utilizing NHM funds due to inadequate financial planning and monitoring mechanisms.
Way forward:
- Infrastructure and Workforce Enhancement: Strengthen PHC and CHC infrastructure with essential facilities and ensure equitable distribution of healthcare specialists through targeted incentives, training, and deployment programs in underserved areas.
- Efficient Fund Utilization: Streamline fund disbursement processes, enhance financial planning, and implement robust monitoring mechanisms to ensure optimal use of allocated budgets, particularly in resource-constrained regions.
Mains PYQ:
Q “Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyse. (UPSC IAS/2021)
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