India achieves the NHP target of MMR 100 deaths per 1 lakh live births

According to the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, India has achieved the National Health Policy (NHP) target of MMR (Maternal Mortality Rate) 100 deaths per 1 lakh live births. 

This information was given by the Minister during the 9th meeting of the Mission Steering Group (MSG) of National Health Mission (NHM) at  New Delhi on 4th March 2025.

The meeting reviewed the performance of the Indian government’s flagship program, the National Health Mission, and the other health initiatives of the central government.

About the  9th meeting of Mission Steering Group of the NHM

The  Mission Steering Group of the NHM is the highest policy-making body of the National Health Mission regarding health initiatives and the development of health infrastructure in the country.

The meeting also reviews the performance of this initiative and the status of health infrastructure.

The Group includes the various ministries of the government of India and the secretaries of these ministries. 

Health Secretaries from high-focus states- Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura-  also attended the 9th meeting of the Mission Steering Group of the NHM.

Achievements of the National Health Mission 

Following are some of the important achievements of the National Health Mission.

Decline in MMR and IMR 

• MMR target of 100 deaths per 1 lakh live births set by the  National Health Policy 2017 has been achieved.
• During 1990-2000, MMR in the country declined by 83 %. In the same period, the decline in MMR in the world was 55%.
• During 1990-2000, the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) declined by 69% while it was 55 % in the world.
• A decline in under-5 Child Mortality Rate during the 1990-2000 period was 75 % while the global decline rate was 58%.
• 11 states and Union Territories have achieved the IMR target of 12 per 1,000 live births set by the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).

Decline in Total Fertility Rate

• The Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has been reduced from 3.4 in 1992-93 to 2.0 in 2019-21.
• 31 states in the country have achieved the TFR level of 2.1, which refers to a stable population growth.
• Total Fertility Rate refers to the average number of children a woman will bear during her reproductive period.
• A TFR of 2.1 is considered a replacement population level. 
• A TFR above 2.1 indicates an increasing trend of population in the country, and a TFR of less than 2.1 indicates a general declining trend in the population of the country.

Out of Pocket Expenditure 

• Out-of-pocket expenditure has declined from 69.4% of the total health expenditure. in 2004-05 to 39.4 in 2021-22.
•  It refers to the money spent on health by a person from his income.
• Government health expenditure increased from 22.5% of the total health expenditure in 2004-05 to 48% in 2021-22.

Elimination of Disease 

• In May 2015, the World Health Organisation (WHO ) certified India free from maternal and neonatal tetanus.
• In October 2024, WHO certified India free from trachoma as a public health problem
• In 2023, India achieved the target of Kala-azar elimination by reducing the annual incidence of Kala-azar cases to less than one case per ten thousand people at the block level.

Other Achievements 

• 79.3% reduction in Malaria incidence in 2023 as compared to 2014.
• 85.2 % reduction in malaria-related deaths in 2023 as compared to 2014.
• Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme now covers all the 748 districts of states & Union Territories.
• Presently, more than 1.76 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are operational in the country.

About  National Health Mission 

The government of India launched the  National Rural Health Mission on 12th April 2005, to provide accessible, affordable and quality health care to the rural population.

In 2013, the Union cabinet approved the National Urban Health Mission, focussed on the urban areas of the country.

It also launched the National Health Mission in 2013. The National Rural and Urban Mission was made a component of the National Health Mission.

The National Health Mission is under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Also read: India to eliminate TB by 2025