Introduction
India’s healthcare system has seen a remarkable transformation over the past 11 years, driven by strong political will, increased funding, and a commitment to providing healthcare that is affordable, accessible, equitable, and of high quality for all.
Body
Key Initiatives
National Health Mission (NHM)
· Cornerstone of the healthcare revolution
· Strengthens health systems
· Reduces maternal and child mortality
· Promotes universal access to quality care
· Engaged 5.23 lakh additional health workers including 1.18 lakh+ Community Health Officers (CHOs).
CHO cadre of 2018 bridges the gap between community-level health workers and medical officers
· Over 1.77 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs established
· Platforms like eSanjeevani and Tele-MANAS democratized access to specialist care
Vaccination
· Universal Immunisation Programme strengthened
· Six new vaccines introduced since 2014
· 5.46 crore children and 1.32 crore pregnant women vaccinated under Mission Indradhanush
· U-WIN portal digitized vaccination services for 10.68 crore beneficiaries with 42.75 crore doses administered by May 2025
PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)
· Launched in 2021
· Established 18,802 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, 602 Critical Care Hospital Blocks, 730 District Integrated Public Health Labs
· 1.38 lakh+ Community Health Officers (CHOs) trained
CHO cadre of 2018 bridges the gap between community-level health workers and medical officers
Challenges Addressed
· High maternal and infant mortality rates
· Limited preventive care and health screenings
· Low immunisation coverage and disease prevalence
· High out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare
· Inadequate health infrastructure, medicines and accessibility in rural areas
· Lack of digital health platforms, trained human resources and specialist access
Solutions and Impact
Maternal & Child Health
· Maternal mortality reduced by 86% since 2000
· Infant mortality reduced by 73%
· India outperformed global average decline (58%) in infant mortality and (48%) in maternal mortality rate
Preventive Care
· Cancer screening (oral, breast, cervical) at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs
· 28 crore screened for hypertension
· 27 crore for diabetes
· 27 crore for oral cancer
Disease Elimination
· Polio-free in 2014
· Maternal and neonatal tetanus eliminated in 2015
· Trachoma eliminated in 2024
· Kala Azar eliminated in 2023
· Malaria cases and deaths dropped by over 80% between 2015-2023
· TB Incidence reduced by 17.7% and mortality by 21% (2023)
· TB: 'Missing' cases dropped from 15 lakh (2015) to 1.2 lakh (2024) (WHO Global TB report)
Financial Protection
· Health expenditure as % of GDP increased from 1.13% to 1.84% (2014–2022)
· Out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) reduced from 62.6% to 39.4%
· Free Drugs and Diagnostics Services initiative enhanced affordability and accessibility
Infrastructure and Accessibility
· Labs in 36 States/UTs, CT scans in 34 States/UTs , tele-radiology in 12 States/UTs
· PM National Dialysis Programme benefited 28 lakh+ patients (₹8,725 crore saved in OOPE)
· Expanded emergency services through National Ambulance Services and Mobile Medical Units
Conclusion
Over the past 11 years, India has taken significant strides in building a universal healthcare system that is inclusive, robust, and rooted in the principles of proactive and equitable care. These developments reaffirm the country’s commitment to ensuring the health and well-being of every citizen through integrated and sustainable initiatives.
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