National Urban Health Mission

What is the Objective of the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM)?

The main objective of the NUHM is to improve the health conditions of the poor and disadvantaged sections of the urban population of the country by facilitating access to quality healthcare services. This will result in the following:

• Reduction in Infant Mortality Rate

• Reduction in Maternal Mortality Ratio

• Better access to reproductive healthcare

• Achieving replacement level fertility

• Achieving all targets of the Disease Control Programmes

What are the Features of NUHM?

Some of the key features of the National Urban Health Mission, or NUHM, are listed below:

• Area of Coverage: The NUHM will cover all district headquarters, state capitals, cities or towns that have a population above 50,000 citizens.

• Primary Focus: This scheme will primarily focus on the marginalised groups in urban areas. These include slum dwellers, rickshaw pullers, bus and railway station porters, homeless citizens, street vendors, construction workers, etc.

• Funding Pattern: The funding for the NUHM will be split between the Central and State Governments in the ratio of 75:25 for all the states. However, for Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, North-Eastern states and Himachal Pradesh, the funding will be in the 90:10 ratio between the Centre and the State.

• Synergy with Other Programmes: The scheme will also establish synergies with other programmes with similar objectives to optimise the outcome of the NUHM. Some examples of such programmes are JNNURM, SJSRY, and ICDS.

• Urban Healthcare Systems: The government will set up need-based urban healthcare systems that are city-specific under the NUHM. This will help in meeting the healthcare needs of the poor and vulnerable sections of the urban population. The scheme will also set up institutional management systems that will help meet the health-related challenges of the urban population.

• Collaborate with Local Bodies: Under the National Urban Health Mission, the government will partner with local and community-based bodies and involve them in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of healthcare activities.

What are the Benefits of the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM)?

The vulnerable population in the urban areas who are eligible for this scheme can avail the following benefits under the NUHM:

• Get access to cost-effective healthcare services

• Increased disease awareness

• Access to regular health check-ups at government health centres

What is the Eligibility Criteria for NUHM?

The eligibility criteria under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) are as follows:

• Population: The NUHM scheme focuses on the listed and unlisted slums’ residents in the country’s urban cities and districts with a population exceeding 50,000.

• Occupation: Citizens involved in professions such as construction workers, rag-pickers, workers in brick and lime kiln rickshaw pullers, sex workers, etc., are also eligible to avail the benefits under the National Urban Health Mission.

• Others: The NUHM scheme also covers street children, homeless citizens, and temporary migrants in urban areas.

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How to Avail National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) Benefits?

Here are some ways to avail the benefits of the National Urban Health Mission:

• The eligible citizens can visit their respective municipality offices to locate the closest Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC).

• Eligible citizens who are permanent residents of slums can contact their local Urban Social Health Activists. They will guide them with the steps to avail the healthcare benefits.

• One can also visit the official website of the National Health Mission to get the details regarding the NUHM.

Summing Up

The National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) is a vital initiative by the Government of India that aims at meeting the healthcare needs of the vulnerable population in the urban sections. It helps in controlling the rising healthcare costs for the poor and disadvantaged sections of society. However, if you are not eligible under such government schemes, the increasing healthcare costs can burn a hole in your savings. Hence, ensure you are secured with adequate health insurance that will cover you and your loved ones for any planned or unforeseen medical treatments.

Read more about other Government Health Insurance Schemes:

1. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana

2. Chief Minister Arogya Arunachal Yojana

3. Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

4. Mukhyamantri Amrutum Yojana

5. Dr. YSR Aarogyasri Health Insurance Scheme

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