Cabinet approves continuation of National Health Mission for another five years
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the extension of the National Health Mission (NHM) for another five years after reviewing its progress over the past three years.
First launched in 2005 as the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), the scheme has been extended multiple times, with the most recent extension granted in 2021 to run until 2026.
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, addressing a cabinet briefing, highlighted the NHM’s significant impact on public health.
“The mission’s efforts have been integral to India’s health improvements, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. It has played a vital role in ensuring more accessible and quality healthcare services across the country,” a cabinet statement said.
Goyal further stated that NHM’s ongoing efforts have transformed India’s health landscape, putting the country on track to achieve its Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) health targets well ahead of the 2030 deadline.