The Context

The National Health Mission (NHM) aims to address the healthcare needs of India's population by ensuring access to essential primary healthcare services and providing affordable medical treatment. It focuses on strengthening the existing healthcare delivery system while adopting a people-centric approach that integrates various schemes related to the broader determinants of health, such as drinking water, sanitation, and education.

India's maternal and child health programs have significantly improved healthcare outcomes for mothers and children. Initiatives like Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY), Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and Mission Indradhanush have collectively promoted safer deliveries, better antenatal care, immunization coverage, and child development.

In combating communicable diseases, India has made remarkable progress through strategic programs like the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP), National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), and National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP). The eradication of polio in 2014 underscores the nation's commitment to public health and disease control.

India is also addressing the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through targeted initiatives, such as the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) and the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP). These programs enhance public awareness, facilitate screening and treatment, and integrate mental health services into primary care, demonstrating India's comprehensive approach to public health challenges.

Prerequisites for Implementation in Global South Countries

To successfully implement maternal and child health/ communicable/ non-communicable programs similar to those in India, Global South countries must address several prerequisites:  

• Strong healthcare infrastructure
• Skilled healthcare workforce
• Community engagement and education
• Financial resources and sustainable financing robust monitoring,
• Evaluation, and surveillance systems
• Policy support, political will, and governance collaboration and partnerships (domestic and international)
• Access to medicines, vaccines, and technologies

Integrated health information systems public awareness and multi-sectoral approach

Case Studies

(Source of the Image - The Print)

“From the moment of admission through to the labour room, there were checklists,” said Dr. Shrinivas Gadappa. “We developed consent forms for everything from abortion, preterm labour, anaemia, fetal distress, to preeclampsia. Each consent form was carefully prepared so that women were well-informed, and their equal participation was considered, We also developed standard protocols for the treatment of various conditions, like pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, premature rupture of membranes, so that uniformity is maintained, and the work is carried out effectively,” he added.

(Source of the Image - Down to Earth)

“All TB cases are notified and there are monthly follow-ups with every patient. Women health volunteers collect sputum for testing from symptomatic people. A ‘irregular patients’ list is also shared for follow-up with sanitary inspectors, who visit 80 houses every day to look for mosquito breeding sites. The loss to follow-up has reduced drastically since we have involved other sectors. We don’t work in silos,” said Dr Lavanya J., District TB Officer, Greater Chennai Corporation, which is leading the Chennai TB Free Project.

 

(Source of the Image - khpt.org)

“We have started NCD screening of the target population on five common NCDs (hypertension, diabetes, and oral, breast and cervical cancers) but the screening for cervical cancer is mainly done at the Primary Health Centre (PHC). After the screening we list out the suspect cases and refer them to PHC for confirmation. If confirmed, strict follow-up is done by the SC-HWC team members. While providing all these services, we never discriminate beneficiaries in the line of caste, creed, religion, rich, wealth etc.,” said Mr Rituparna Hazarika, Community Health Officer at Manipurtup Sub Centre-HWC, in the Raha Tehsil of Nagaon district in the state of Assam.

Schemes