The National Rural Health Mission in India: its impact on maternal, neonatal, and infant mortality

Shyama Nagarajan; Vinod K Paul; Namrata Yadav; Shuchita Gupta

doi:10.1016/j.siny.2015.06.003

The National Rural Health Mission in India: its impact on maternal, neonatal, and infant mortality

Semin Fetal Neonatal Med. 2015 Oct;20(5):315-20. doi: 10.1016/j.siny.2015.06.003. Epub 2015 Sep 15.

Authors

Shyama Nagarajan¹, Vinod K Paul², Namrata Yadav³, Shuchita Gupta⁴

Affiliations

¹ Health Sector, Ernst & Young LLP, Gurgaon, India.
² Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. Electronic address: [email protected].
³ Ernst & Young - Public Health: Government & Public Sector, Advisory Services, Gurgaon, India.
⁴ Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

PMID: 26385051
DOI: 10.1016/j.siny.2015.06.003

Abstract

The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) has been a watershed in the history of India's health sector. As a previously unattempted investment, governance, and mobilization effort, the NRHM succeeded in injecting new energy into India's public health system. A huge expansion of infrastructure and human resources is the hallmark of the NRHM action. Demand-side initiatives led to enhanced utilization of public health facilities, especially for facility births. The impact is visible. The Mission has brought Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 within India's grasp. Acceleration in infant and neonatal mortality reduction is especially notable. The NRHM has created conditions for the country to move toward universal health coverage.

Keywords: India; Infant mortality rates; Maternal mortality rates; Millennium Development Goals; National Rural Health Mission.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Female
Humans
India
Infant
Infant Mortality / trends*
Infant, Newborn
Maternal Mortality / trends*
Pregnancy
Public Health / trends*
Rural Health / trends*