India’s health sector has undergone a remarkable transformation from 2014 to 2025, shifting from a curative model to a preventive and wellness-based system. Driven by strong political will, increased investments, and digital health innovations, these reforms align with SDG-3 (Good Health & Well-being) and flagship initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and the National Health Mission (NHM).
🚨 Healthcare Challenges in 2014
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Infrastructure Gaps: Shortage of PHCs (Primary Health Centres), CHCs (Community Health Centres), and diagnostic units
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Human Resource Deficit: Inadequate doctors, nurses, and trained healthcare workers
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Poor Access & High OOPE: High Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) restricted universal access
🔁 The Strategic Shift: Wellness Over Illness
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Focus transitioned from curative care to preventive and promotive care
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NHM provided the backbone for this transformation
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Emphasis on universal health coverage and affordability
🏗️ Key Reforms (2014–2025)
1️⃣ Primary Healthcare Boost
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1.77 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs established for maternal-child care, NCD (non-communicable disease) screening, and mental health
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Digital Telehealth Platforms:
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eSanjeevani → Over 15 crore consultations
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Tele-MANAS → Mental health helpline
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2️⃣ Maternal & Child Health Gains
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Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): Reduced by 86%, nearly double global average
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Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): Fell by 73%, compared to 58% globally
3️⃣ NCD Screening
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Mass screenings conducted:
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28 crore for Hypertension
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27 crore each for Diabetes & Oral Cancer
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Breast, cervical, and oral cancer checks scaled up
4️⃣ Vaccination & Disease Control
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Mission Indradhanush: Immunised 5.46 crore children & 1.32 crore pregnant women
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U-WIN Portal: Digitised 42.75 crore vaccine doses
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Major Disease Eliminations:
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Polio (2014)
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Maternal & Neonatal Tetanus (2015)
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Kala Azar (2023)
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Trachoma (2024)
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Malaria: 80%+ reduction in cases and deaths
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Tuberculosis:
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Incidence down by 17.7%
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Mortality down by 21%
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“Missing” TB cases reduced from 15 lakh → 1.2 lakh
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5️⃣ Health Financing & Affordability
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Government Health Spend: Increased from 1.13% to 1.84% of GDP (2014–2022)
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OOPE: Dropped from 62.6% → 39.4%
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Free Drugs & Diagnostics: Active in 36 States/UTs
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National Dialysis Programme: Helped 28+ lakh patients, saving ₹8,725 crore in OOPE
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Ambulance & Mobile Medical Units: Expanded access to remote regions
🏥 Infrastructure & Workforce Expansion
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PM-ABHIM (Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission):
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18,802 Health & Wellness Centres created
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602 Critical Care Blocks operational
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730 Integrated Labs upgraded
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Human Resource Growth:
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5.23 lakh healthcare workers added
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Includes 1.18 lakh Community Health Officers (CHOs) linking community to doctors
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🎯 Conclusion
Between 2014 and 2025, India’s healthcare sector has moved from a treatment-centric approach to a wellness-led, preventive system.
With digital health platforms, robust infrastructure, improved maternal-child health, NCD screening, and reduced OOPE, India is firmly on track to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and SDG-3 by 2030