Subject: Governance

India's healthcare policies have evolved significantly, with the National Health Mission (NHM) playing a pivotal role in addressing maternal and geriatric healthcare challenges. The reduction in Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) from 384 in 2000 to 80 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023 reflects the progress made, yet significant challenges remain.

Current Healthcare Policy Framework

• Maternal Healthcare Initiatives:

  • Implementation of Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) promoting institutional deliveries and reducing maternal mortality.
  • SUMAN (Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan) initiative ensuring quality healthcare services for mothers and newborns.
  • Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA) providing fixed-day antenatal checkups and comprehensive care.

• Geriatric Healthcare Measures:

  • Development of specialized geriatric care facilities with a projected growth to 1.5 million new facilities in the next decade.
  • Integration of geriatric care units within existing healthcare infrastructure to ensure accessibility.
  • Focus on preventive healthcare and wellness programs for the elderly population.

Challenges and Areas for Improvement

• Maternal Healthcare Challenges:

  • India still accounts for 7.2% of global maternal deaths with 19,000 deaths in 2023.
  • Regional disparities in healthcare access and quality.
  • Limited awareness about maternal health schemes in rural areas.

• Geriatric Healthcare Issues:

  • Insufficient specialized healthcare facilities with only 1,150 facilities serving the elderly population.
  • Growing demand-supply gap in geriatric care infrastructure.
  • Need for trained healthcare professionals in geriatric care.

Way Forward

• Policy Recommendations:
  • Enhanced allocation under National Health Mission (current allocation: Rs 37,227 crore for 2025-26).
  • Integration of technology for better healthcare delivery and monitoring.
  • Strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure in rural areas.
  • Capacity building of healthcare workers in specialized care.

The convergence of robust healthcare policies and effective implementation mechanisms is crucial for achieving comprehensive social development. The success of initiatives like JSY and PMSMA demonstrates that targeted interventions can yield significant results in improving healthcare outcomes for vulnerable populations.