Written by : Jayati Dubey
January 23, 2025
Source: X (twitter)
The NHM played a pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic, leveraging its extensive network of healthcare facilities and workers.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal has announced that the Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the National Health Mission (NHM) for another five years.
Highlighting the Mission’s achievements, Goyal noted its critical role in India’s healthcare progress over the past decade, including the recruitment of nearly 12 lakh healthcare workers between 2021 and 2022.
The NHM was launched in 2005 as the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to build robust public health systems offering accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare in rural areas, especially for vulnerable populations.
Its scope expanded in 2012 with the introduction of the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) to address urban healthcare needs, leading to the restructuring of NRHM into the broader NHM framework.
The NHM played a pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic, leveraging its extensive network of healthcare facilities and workers.
It was instrumental in administering over 220 crore vaccine doses between January 2021 and March 2024.
The India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Package (ECRP), implemented in two phases under NHM, further strengthened the public health infrastructure to manage the pandemic effectively.
The Cabinet’s decision reinforces the government’s commitment to ensuring affordable healthcare and addressing healthcare inequities across rural and urban areas.
The NHM continues to be a cornerstone of India’s public health strategy, contributing significantly to improving healthcare access and quality nationwide.
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