National Health Mission (NHM): Comprehensive Analysis for UPSC Exam Preparation

Table of Contents

1.     What is The National Health Mission?

2.     Components of the National Health Mission

3.     NHM – Human Resources for Health and Medical Education

4.     Background of National Health Mission

5.     Benefits of the National Health Mission

6.     Major Initiatives Under National Health Mission

7.     Features of the National Health Mission

8.     Issues with National Health Mission

9.     Scope of National Health Mission

10.                        National Health Mission UPSC

11.                        FAQs on National Health Mission

12.                        MCQs for UPSC Exam Preparation

13.                        Relevant Articles and Case Laws

1. What is The National Health Mission?

The National Health Mission (NHM) was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2013 to ensure the proper distribution of health services to poor people. The mission aims to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare to all citizens, especially those living in rural and remote areas.

2. Components of the National Health Mission

National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)

• Objective: Provide healthcare services to rural populations.
• Focus Areas: Less advantaged areas like Jammu, Himachal Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Key Services: Primary healthcare, maternal and child health services, immunization programs.

National Urban Health Mission (NUHM)

• Objective: Provide healthcare services to urban poor.
• Focus Areas: Economically disadvantaged urban populations.
• Key Services: Affordable health services, urban health centers, outreach programs.

Tertiary Care Programme

• Objective: Address communicable and non-communicable diseases.
• Key Services: Advanced medical care, e-health initiatives.

3. NHM – Human Resources for Health and Medical Education

• Objective: Improve the performance of healthcare practitioners.
• Key Initiatives: Enhance research and training in medical institutions, provide best equipment and resources, promote research opportunities.

4. Background of National Health Mission

• Purpose: Provide quality health services to all people, regardless of their financial status.
• Healthcare Insurance: Strengthen and make the healthcare insurance policy more robust and transparent.
• Digital Healthcare: Introduce healthcare services on digital platforms for easy access.
• Private Sector Participation: Encourage private sector involvement in public health.

5. Benefits of the National Health Mission

• Efficiency and Effectiveness: Improve the efficiency and effectiveness of health services.
• Health Records: Maintain accessible and transparent health records.
• Choice of Services: Provide options for both public and private healthcare services.
• Healthcare Infrastructure: Maintain proper healthcare infrastructure for affordable services.
• Research Opportunities: Encourage practitioners to research and study various medical fields.

6. Major Initiatives Under National Health Mission

United Grants to Sub-Centers

• Objective: Provide resources, money, or equipment to healthcare providers.

Village Health and Sanitation Committees

• Objective: Plan and monitor public health services in various areas.
• Members: Panchayati Raj members and other local representatives.

Janani Suraksha Yojana

• Objective: Encourage women to use public health services during pregnancy.

Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram

• Objective: Provide free healthcare services to pregnant women and infants.

National Ambulance Services

• Objective: Provide timely and affordable ambulance services via a toll-free number.

Comprehensive Primary Health Care

• Objective: Improve access to healthcare information, communication, and technology.

7. Features of the National Health Mission

• Components: Health ID, digital doctor, personal health record, telemedicine, pharmacy.
• National Health Authority: Responsible for the design and implementation of NHM.
• Private Sector Integration: Allow private sector to provide services under NHM.
• Health ID: Unique health ID for every Indian to maintain health records.

8. Issues with National Health Mission

• Data Privacy: Lack of legal protection for patient data.
• Security: Potential foreign surveillance and data leaks.
• Privacy Principles: Does not align with expert-advised privacy principles.

9. Scope of National Health Mission

• Coverage: Provide health benefits to a large population, especially rural poor.
• Accessibility: Ensure healthcare services are accessible to all.
• Accountability: Increase accountability in the medical structure.
• Digital Services: Promote digital healthcare services for improved access.

10. National Health Mission UPSC

NHM is an essential topic for UPSC preparation under government schemes, health & Government Policies & Interventions. It is crucial for achieving universal health coverage and improving health outcomes in India.

11. FAQs on National Health Mission

1.     What is National Health Mission?

·         NHM is a government initiative launched in 2013 to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare to all citizens, especially in rural and remote areas.

2.     When was NHM launched?

·         NHM was launched on 12 April 2013.

3.     What is the aim of NHM?

·         The aim is to provide accessible and affordable healthcare services to the poor and vulnerable sections of society.

4.     Why is NHM important?

·         NHM is important to improve health outcomes, reduce health disparities, and provide quality healthcare services to all, especially the poor.

5.     Who launched NHM?

·         NHM was launched by the Prime Minister of India on 12th April 2013.

6.     What are the components of NHM?

·         The main components are the National Rural Health Mission, National Urban Health Mission, and Tertiary Care Programme.

7.     What are the advantages of NHM?

·         NHM provides access to quality and affordable medical facilities, reduces maternal & newborn mortality, and increases awareness about healthcare in rural areas.

12. MCQs for UPSC Exam Preparation

1.     Which of the following statements is true regarding the National Health Mission?

·         a) It was launched in 2005

·         b) It aims to provide financial support for medical tourism

·         c) It is exclusively for urban areas

·         d) It aims to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare to rural and urban population

·         Answer: d) It aims to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare to rural and urban population

2.     Which of the following is not a component of the National Health Mission?

·         a) National Rural Health Mission

·         b) National Urban Health Mission

·         c) National Mental Health Mission

·         d) National Nutrition Mission

·         Answer: d) National Nutrition Mission

3.     The National Health Mission aims to provide universal access to:

·         a) Sanitation facilities

·         b) Clean drinking water

·         c) Primary healthcare

·         d) Secondary and tertiary healthcare

·         Answer: c) Primary healthcare

4.     Which initiative under NHM provides free healthcare services to pregnant women and infants?

·         a) Janani Suraksha Yojana

·         b) Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram

·         c) National Ambulance Services

·         d) Village Health and Sanitation Committees

·         Answer: b) Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram

5.     Which component of NHM focuses on urban poor populations?

·         a) National Rural Health Mission

·         b) National Urban Health Mission

·         c) Tertiary Care Programme

·         d) Comprehensive Primary Health Care

·         Answer: b) National Urban Health Mission

6.     What is the objective of the United Grants to Sub-Centers initiative under NHM?

·         a) Provide resources and equipment to healthcare providers

·         b) Promote health education in schools

·         c) Develop new medical technologies

·         d) Establish new hospitals in urban areas

·         Answer: a) Provide resources and equipment to healthcare providers

7.     Which feature of NHM aims to maintain digital health records for every Indian?

·         a) Health ID

·         b) Telemedicine

·         c) Digital Doctor

·         d) Pharmacy

·         Answer: a) Health ID

8.     Who is responsible for the design and implementation of NHM?

·         a) Ministry of Home Affairs

·         b) National Health Authority

·         c) Indian Medical Association

·         d) World Health Organization

·         Answer: b) National Health Authority

9.     Which initiative under NHM encourages women to use public health services during pregnancy?

·         a) Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakaram

·         b) Janani Suraksha Yojana

·         c) National Ambulance Services

·         d) Village Health and Sanitation Committees

·         Answer: b) Janani Suraksha Yojana

10.                        What is the main objective of Comprehensive Primary Health Care under NHM?

·         a) Improve access to information, communication, and technology

·         b) Provide free ambulance services

·         c) Establish new medical colleges

·         d) Promote health tourism

·         Answer: a) Improve access to information, communication, and technology

13. Relevant Articles and Case Laws

Relevant Articles of the Constitution

• Article 21: Right to life and personal liberty, which includes the right to health.
• Article 47: Duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health.

Landmark Supreme Court Judgements

• Pashchim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity vs. State of West Bengal (1996): Emphasized the state’s duty to provide adequate medical services to every person.
• State of Punjab vs. Mohinder Singh Chawla (1996): Reinforced the right to health as a fundamental right under Article 21.

This structured analysis provides comprehensive insights into the National Health Mission, covering its objectives, components, benefits, and relevance for UPSC exam preparation.