Public Health, Nutrition & Epidemics15 Concepts & Facts

National Health Mission: NRHM, NUHM & Primary Healthcare

The National Health Mission (NHM) is India's flagship program for public health delivery. Launched by the central government, it provides accessible, affordable, and quality medical care to all citizens. The mission unites two main sub-missions: the National Rural Health Mission, started in 2005, and the National Urban Health Mission, added in 2013. Its primary goal is to lower maternal and infant mortality rates across the country. It also works to prevent communicable diseases and ensure balanced regional health spending. The mission focuses special attention on eighteen high-focus states with weaker public health systems, including hilly northern and northeastern regions.

At the grassroots level, the mission relies on Accredited Social Health Activists, widely known as ASHA workers. These dedicated community health volunteers connect rural families directly to the public healthcare network. Over one million female ASHA workers track pregnancies, encourage institutional hospital deliveries, and organize child vaccination drives. They work closely with Anganwadi workers and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives through Village Health, Sanitation, and Nutrition Committees. Financial incentives under Janani Suraksha Yojana encourage poor pregnant women to give birth in public hospitals rather than at home, greatly reducing maternal deaths.

To provide comprehensive primary care, India has upgraded over one hundred and fifty thousand primary centers into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. These modern health and wellness centers provide twelve essential care services beyond basic maternal health. These include screenings for high blood pressure, diabetes, and common cancers. Centers also supply free generic medicines, conduct diagnostic tests, and offer tele-consultation doctor services called e-Sanjeevani. This community infrastructure prevents hospital overcrowding by treating illnesses early close to citizens' doorsteps.

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Key Concepts & Self-Assessment15 Key Facts

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#1
The National Health Mission comprises NRHM (launched in April 2005) and NUHM (launched in 2013) to deliver accessible, affordable public healthcare.
#2
The public healthcare pyramid establishes Sub-Centres (3,000-5,000 population), PHCs (20,000-30,000), and CHCs (80,000-120,000 referral facilities).
#3
ASHA workers act as community health educators and interface links, designated at an approximate ratio of one activist per 1,000 rural population.
#4
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) promotes institutional deliveries through direct conditional cash assistance to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.
#5
Under Ayushman Bharat, over 150,000 primary facilities have been upgraded to Ayushman Arogya Mandir (Health and Wellness Centres) for thorough care.
#6
The National Rural Health Mission was established on April 12, 2005, with an initial administrative focus on 18 high-focus states with weak public health infrastructure and indicators.
#7
Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) prescribe mandatory clinical infrastructure, human resources, diagnostic services, and essential drug lists for Sub-Centres, PHCs, and CHCs.
#8
Rogi Kalyan Samitis (Hospital Management Committees) function as registered societies at public health facilities, exercising administrative powers to utilize untied funds and user fees for maintenance.
#9
Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), launched in June 2011, entitles pregnant women and sick neonates delivering in public health institutions to completely free deliveries, C-sections, drugs, and diagnostics.
#10
Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) provides free, thorough antenatal check-ups to pregnant women on the 9th day of every month at public health centers.
#11
Mission Indradhanush was launched in December 2014 to ensure full immunization coverage for children up to two years and pregnant women against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases.
#12
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), launched in 2013, conducts systematic child screening across four categories: defects at birth, deficiencies, diseases, and developmental delays.
#13
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), launched in September 2018, provides health insurance cover of 5 lakh rupees per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalization.
#14
The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), launched nationwide in September 2021, creates 14-digit Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) numbers to digitize electronic health records.
#15
The National Health Policy (NHP) 2017 set the target of increasing public expenditure on health to 2.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) and reducing out-of-pocket medical expenditures.

Subject Specialist Commentary

Analytical perspective & practical exam advice from the Master10 academic board

Educator's Insight

The National Health Mission transformed Indian public healthcare from a doctor-centered hospital model into a community-led prevention network. The true backbone of this mission is the frontline ASHA worker visiting rural homes to guide mothers and vaccinate infants.

For exam revision, remember how the mission links village primary centers with tertiary hospitals under Ayushman Bharat. Use the memory aid CURE to recall NHM goals: Community health workers, Universal primary care, Reduced infant mortality, and Equitable rural-urban health spending.

National Health Mission: NRHM, NUHM & Primary Healthcare

Key Concepts & Self-Assessment15 Key Facts

Subject Specialist Commentary

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