Impact of National Rural Health Mission: A Public Welfare Programme of the Government on Indian Health Sector

Abstract

The study reveals circumstances under which the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) program was launched by the Government of India to fulfill the target set out by the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals (MDG's). It examines the role and functioning of NRHM in delivering basic health care services to rural India. It further delineates the role of NRHM in reducing Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR), Total Fertility Rate (TFR), Dengue Mortality Reduction Rate, etc. The study also highlights the character of NRHM in providing equitable, affordable, and quality health care services to the rural population, particularly the vulnerable groups. It was instrumental in creating new institutions, decentralizing of services, and providing new ideas and resources for health system. The study mainly focused on the approaches, major planks, achievements and evaluation of the NRHM program.