India has achieved remarkable progress in reducing infant mortality and tuberculosis incidence, with reductions far exceeding global averages. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare highlighted these achievements as part of the National Health Mission's (NHM) mid-term review.

Key Highlights:
Infant and Child Mortality Rates:

• Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) decreased by 75%, from 45 per 1,000 live births in 2014 to 32 in 2020, surpassing the global reduction of 60% since 1990.

• Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) fell by 25%, from 130 per lakh live births in 2014-16 to 97 per lakh in 2018-20, marking an 83% decline since 1990.

Tuberculosis and Malaria:

• TB incidence reduced from 237 per 1,00,000 in 2015 to 195 in 2023, while TB mortality fell from 28 to 22 during the same period.

• Malaria deaths decreased by 13.28% in 2021 and 7.77% in 2022; however, cases rose by 28.91% in 2023 compared to 2022.

Healthcare Workforce and Infrastructure:

• NHM engaged 2.69 lakh additional healthcare workers, including General Duty Medical Officers (GDMOs), specialists, and allied healthcare staff.

• By March 2024, 7,998 public health facilities were certified under the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS), with over 4,200 receiving national certification.

Specialized Health Programs:

• The Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP) delivered 62.35 lakh hemodialysis sessions in FY 2023-24, benefiting over 4.53 lakh patients.

• The National Sickle Cell Anemia Elimination Mission screened 2.61 crore individuals in tribal areas, targeting disease elimination by 2047.

Ayushman Arogya Mandir Centers:

• The number of operational Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) centers reached 1,72,148 by FY 2023-24, with 1,34,650 centers offering 12 key healthcare services.

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Statements from Leaders or Officials:

• Health Ministry Statement:

"India has demonstrated significant improvements in healthcare outcomes, from reducing infant mortality to tuberculosis incidence, setting an example for other nations in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," the ministry noted.With the NHM extended until 2026, India is poised to achieve its SDG targets for maternal, child, and infant mortality ahead of the 2030 deadline. Continued focus on healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, and disease elimination initiatives will strengthen the nation’s public health framework and enhance healthcare accessibility for vulnerable populations.