India Accelerates Healthcare Progress as New National Survey Shows Improvement in Key Social Indicators

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6), conducted in 2023–2024 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India together with the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), has confirmed substantial progress in maternal and child health, nutrition, expanding financial protection for the population, and increasing the role of women in society, according to the Ambassador of India to Uzbekistan Smita Pant.

The data demonstrate the effectiveness of long-term government policy and large-scale reforms in the healthcare system.

The study covered approximately 679,000 households across 715 districts in India, making it the largest national statistical source on demographic processes, public health status, nutrition levels, and social well-being.

The results of the NFHS are traditionally used to develop government policy and implement social programmes down to the district level.

Notable Progress in Maternal and Child Healthcare

One of the most significant achievements was the further improvement of the healthcare system for mothers and newborns. The share of pregnant women who received antenatal medical care reached 95.9%, indicating near-universal coverage. Concurrently, the number of births occurring in medical institutions increased from 88.6% to 90.6%, while the proportion of births assisted by skilled health personnel rose from 89.4% to 91.3%.

The quality of postnatal care also continues to improve, with medical check-ups for newborns increasing from 79.1% to 85.3%.

According to specialists, these results were made possible by the consistent development of the public healthcare system, expanded access to medical services, and the implementation of comprehensive maternal and child support programmes.

Family Planning Reaches a New Level

The study also records steady development in the family planning system.

The total fertility rate remains at 2.0 children per woman, which aligns with the long-term demographic targets of the country.

At the same time, the prevalence of modern contraceptive use increased from 66.7% to 69.1%, reflecting expanded access for women to relevant medical services under national programmes, including Mission Parivar Vikas.

India Nears Universal Vaccination Coverage

Positive dynamics continue in the area of child immunization.

Full vaccination coverage for children aged 12 to 23 months grew from 83.8% to 87.1%. Moreover, 95.6% of children received their basic vaccinations through the public healthcare system, confirming a high level of public trust in state medical institutions.

Experts attribute these results to the development of primary healthcare, the modernization of the vaccine cold storage chain, the introduction of the U-WIN digital monitoring system, and the further development of the Universal Immunization Programme.

Child Nutrition Indicators Improve

NFHS-6 also demonstrates positive changes in child nutrition.

Nearly 96% of infants under six months of age are exclusively breastfed.

The increase in the proportion of children breastfed within the first hour of birth was particularly notable, rising from 41.8% to 50.1%.

Concurrently, the prevalence of stunting among children under five years of age decreased significantly from 35.5% to 29.3%, which is considered one of the key international indicators of the effectiveness of nutrition policy.

The achieved results followed the implementation of national initiatives such as POSHAN Abhiyaan, Saksham Anganwadi, and POSHAN 2.0, as well as improvements in the operation of the Integrated Child Development Services.

Financial Protection for the Population Expands

Serious progress was also noted in the accessibility of medical care.

The share of households covered by various health insurance and healthcare financing programmes increased from 41% to 60.2%.

A key role was played by the government scheme Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), which significantly expanded access to medical services for low-income segments of the population and brought the country closer to achieving universal health coverage.

Women Become More Financially Independent

A separate section of the study is dedicated to women's empowerment.

In recent years, internet use among women has nearly doubled, rising from 33.3% to 64.3%.

The share of women who independently manage bank accounts grew from 78.6% to 89%, and the number of women who independently use mobile phones increased from 53.9% to 63.6%.

Positive dynamics are also observed in reproductive health, with the use of modern menstrual hygiene products among girls and young women aged 15–24 increasing from 77.6% to 79.2%. This change follows the implementation of the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme and the provision of accessible sanitary products through the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana network.

Foundation for Further Reforms

The results of NFHS-6 confirm that India continues to consistently strengthen its public health and social protection systems while improving the quality of life for its population.

At the same time, the study draws attention to new challenges, including the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases, an increase in cases of overweight and obesity, and the need to further develop preventive medicine and foster a culture of healthy living.

Experts note that the data provide a solid evidence base for the further improvement of state policy and confirm India's steady progress toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, primarily in health, nutrition, gender equality, and ensuring universal access to basic social services.