New Delhi: On the World Health Day 2025, with WHO's theme "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures," India continues to strengthen its healthcare systems through initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and the National Health Mission, marking significant progress in improving maternal and child health, expanding digital healthcare access, and enhancing public health infrastructure.
World Health Day, observed annually on April 7, underscores the importance of global health and calls for collective action to address pressing health challenges. Started by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1950, it unites governments, institutions, and communities in addressing critical health priorities each year.
According to an official release, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has made substantial strides in improving India's public health outcomes through various key initiatives and programs. The National Health Mission (NHM) has played a central role in this progress.
The release mentioned that the MMR (Maternal Mortality Ratio) in India dropped from 130 (2014-16) to 97 (2018-20) per 1,00,000 live births, a decline of 33 points. "Over the last 30 years (1990-2020), MMR declined by 83% in India," the release stated.
It also highlighted that IMR (Infant Mortality Rate) dropped from 39 (2014) to 28 (2020) per 1,000 live births, NMR(Neonatal Mortality Rate) reduced from 26 (2014) to 20 (2020) per 1,000 live births and U5MR(Under-5 Mortality Rate) declined from 45 (2014) to 32 (2020) per 1,000 live births.
The government also took several initiatives for Maternal Health and Pregnant Women.
As per the release, Maternal Death Surveillance and Response (MDSR) was conducted at facility and community levels to identify causes of maternal deaths and implement corrective actions for improving obstetric care.
Mother and Child Protection (MCP) Card & Safe Motherhood Booklet were distributed to educate pregnant women on nutrition, rest, pregnancy danger signs, government schemes, and benefits of institutional deliveries.
Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Portal: A name-based digital platform to track pregnant women and newborns, ensuring timely antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care.
Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB): Part of POSHAN Abhiyan; focuses on testing, treatment, and prevention of anaemia in adolescents and pregnant women through nutrition, awareness, and addressing non-nutritional causes. The release stated that as of April 5, 2025, there are over 1.76 lakh active Ayushman Arogya Mandirs(Health & Wellness Centres) in India, providing comprehensive primary health care.
According to the portal, 107.10 crores screenings for hypertension and 94.56 crores screenings for diabetes have been conducted at the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs). (ANI)
Also read: World Health Day 2025: Healthy Beginning, Hopeful Futures
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