As per PIB, the Indian Prime Minister said, “On World Health Day, we express gratitude to all those who work to make our planet healthier. Our Government will continue working to augment health infrastructure and ensure quality healthcare to the people.”
Theme of World Health Day 2025: “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures”
Every year on April 7, World Health Day brings attention to important health issues across the globe. The World Health Organisation (WHO) started this global health awareness day in 1950. The theme for 2025 focuses on improving maternal and newborn health, with an emphasis on preventing avoidable deaths and supporting the long-term well-being of women and children.
How is India strengthening its healthcare system for a resilient future?
The Indian government, especially through the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, has introduced several programmes to make healthcare affordable, accessible, and of good quality. Various schemes like Ayushman Bharat and the National Health Mission (NHM) have significantly given a boost to healthcare access, especially for mothers and children.
👩🍼 Maternal and Child Health: India’s Progress
📊 Decline in Mortality Rates
Source: PIB
| Indicator | 2014–2016 / 2020 | Decline |
| Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) | 130 → 97 | ↓ 33 points (25% decrease) |
| Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) | 39 → 28 | ↓ 11 points |
| Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) | 26 → 20 | ↓ 6 points |
| Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) | 45 → 32 | ↓ 13 points |
Source: PIB
🌍 India vs Global (1990–2020)
| Mortality Indicator | India Reduction (%) | Global Reduction (%) |
| Maternal Mortality | 83% | 42% |
| Neonatal Mortality | 65% | 51% |
| Infant Mortality | 69% | 55% |
| Under-5 Mortality | 75% | 58% |
Source: PIB
What are the major schemes & interventions for maternal health?
- Maternal Death Surveillance (MDSR): Tracks maternal deaths and improves obstetric care.
- MCP Card & Safe Motherhood Booklet: Educates pregnant women about health, nutrition, and government schemes.
- RCH Portal: Tracks care for pregnant women and newborns.
- Anaemia Mukt Bharat: Focuses on reducing anaemia in adolescents and pregnant women.
- Birth Waiting Homes: Provide a safe space for delivery in remote areas.
- Village Health Days (VHSND): Offer health services through Anganwadi Centres.
- Outreach Camps: Bring healthcare to remote and tribal regions.
Source: PIB
🏥 Access to Quality Healthcare Services
🏢 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Health & Wellness Centres)
- 1.76 lakh+ centres active (as of April 5, 2025)
- Over 107 crore people screened for high blood pressure
- 94 crore+ screened for diabetes
- 5.06 crore wellness sessions (yoga, meditation, etc.)
🏆 Quality Standards
- 17,000+ government facilities certified under National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS)
How is the Indian government eliminating and controlling diseases by digital health innovations?
Source: PIB
Digital Health Innovations by the Indian Government:
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)
| Statistic | Value |
| ABHA Health Accounts Created | 76 crore+ |
| Verified Healthcare Professionals | 5.95 lakh+ |
| Health Facilities Registered | 3.86 lakh+ |
| Health Records Linked | 52 crore+ |
U-WIN Digital Vaccine Tracker
- 7.90 crore beneficiaries registered
- 29.22 crore vaccine doses recorded
- 1.32 crore vaccination sessions completed
e-Sanjeevani (Free Teleconsultations)
- 36 crore+ consultations since 2020
- 232,291 doctors onboard
- 131,793 spoke centres
- 17,051 hub centres
- 130 specialties offered
What are the Indian government's achievements in eliminating and controlling diseases?
The Indian government is making many efforts to eliminate and control diseases, which are given in the table below:
| Disease | Achievement |
| Malaria | 69% fewer cases, India exited WHO's HBHI list in 2024 |
| Trachoma | Eliminated as a public health issue |
| Measles-Rubella | 50 districts measles-free, 226 districts rubella-free (2024) |
| Tuberculosis (TB) | 17.7% drop in incidence since 2015; deaths down from 28 to 22 per lakh |
| Kala-azar | Eliminated in all endemic blocks by 2023 |
🌟 TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan
- 2.5 lakh+ Ni-kshay Mitra volunteers
- 15 lakh+ TB patients supported
Affordable Health Coverage – Ayushman Bharat (AB-PMJAY)
Source: PIB
| Category | Details |
| People Covered | 55 crore (bottom 40% of population) |
| Health Insurance | ₹5 lakh per family |
| Ayushman Cards Issued | 40 crore+ |
| Hospital Admissions | 8.5 crore+ |
| Hospitals Empanelled | 31,846 (17,434 public, 14,412 private) |
| Special Cards for Seniors | 25 lakh+ enrolled under Ayushman Vay Vandana |
| ASHA/Anganwadi Workers | Now included as beneficiaries |
How are people getting mental health & wellness support?
Source: PIB
☎️ Tele-MANAS (Mental Health Helpline)
- 53 centres across 36 States/UTs
- Over 20 lakh calls handled
- ₹230 crore+ funding allocated in last 3 years
🏠 Rehabilitation Support
- Around 440 Rehabilitation and Halfway Homes in India (as of April 2025)
Conclusion: A Healthier, Stronger India
India is making steady progress towards universal healthcare. With strong government programmes and digital tools, we are seeing real improvements in maternal care, disease elimination, mental wellness, and affordable health access.
The journey continues with new goals and stronger resolve to build a resilient, inclusive, and people-first healthcare system.
Comments
All Comments (0)
Join the conversation