India has launched various National Health Programs to address communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, sanitation, and nutrition. These programs aim to improve healthcare access, reduce disease burden, and enhance overall public health.
The programs are categorized into:
Communicable Disease Control Programs – Focus on diseases like leprosy, AIDS, TB, polio, and vector-borne diseases.
Maternal & Child Health Programs – Ensure safe motherhood, child nutrition, and immunization.
Hygiene & Healthcare Access Programs – Promote sanitation, digital health, and affordable healthcare.
Nutrition Programs – Address iodine deficiency, anemia, vitamin A deficiency, and child malnutrition.
These initiatives are implemented by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), Ministry of AYUSH, and other government bodies to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
1. Communicable Disease Control Programs
Program
Full Form
Objective
NLEP
National Leprosy Eradication Program
Early detection & treatment of leprosy
NACP
National AIDS Control Program
Prevention & control of HIV/AIDS
NPCB
National Program for Control of Blindness
Reduce blindness prevalence
Polio Eradication
Pulse Polio Immunization
Complete eradication of poliovirus
NTEP
National TB Elimination Program
Eliminate TB by 2025
NVBDCP
National Vector-Borne Disease Control Program
Control of malaria, dengue, chikungunya, etc.
These programs focus on preventing and controlling diseases that spread from person to person, animals, or the environment. They aim to reduce mortality and morbidity while improving public health.
1. National Leprosy Eradication Program (NLEP)
✅ Launched: 1955 (Integrated with National Health Programs in 1983) ✅ Objective:
Early detection and complete treatment of leprosy cases
Reduce transmission and deformities caused by leprosy
Promote community awareness and stigma reduction ✅ Strategy:
Multidrug Therapy (MDT) provided free of cost
Active surveillance through Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs)
Disability prevention and rehabilitation services
2. National AIDS Control Program (NACP)
✅ Launched: 1992 ✅ Objective:
Prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS
Provide free treatment to infected individuals
Reduce stigma and discrimination against HIV-positive individuals ✅ Strategy:
Condom promotion and safe sex education
Free Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
Prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT)
Blood safety and screening programs
3. National Program for Control of Blindness (NPCB)
✅ Launched: 1976 ✅ Objective:
Reduce blindness prevalence to 0.3%
Provide free eye care services to economically weaker sections
Prevent and treat blindness due to cataracts, refractive errors, and corneal diseases ✅ Strategy:
Free cataract surgeries under government schemes
School eye-screening programs for children
Distribution of free spectacles for refractive errors
Strengthening of eye care units in hospitals
4. Pulse Polio Immunization Program (Polio Eradication)
✅ Launched: 1995 under Universal Immunization Program (UIP) ✅ Objective:
Achieve complete eradication of poliovirus from India
Provide polio drops (OPV) to all children under 5 years
Prevent the re-emergence of polio cases ✅ Strategy:
National Immunization Days (NIDs) and Sub-National Immunization Days (SNIDs)
Door-to-door campaigns to ensure 100% coverage
Strengthening routine immunization programs
5. National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP)(Previously RNTCP – Revised National TB Control Program)
✅ Launched: 1997 (Renamed NTEP in 2020) ✅ Objective:
Eliminate TB from India by 2025
Provide free TB diagnosis and treatment
Reduce TB-related deaths and infections ✅ Strategy:
Use of Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS)
Free TB medicines through government hospitals
Active case finding and contact tracing
TB screening in high-risk groups (HIV/AIDS patients, slum dwellers)
6. National Vector-Borne Disease Control Program (NVBDCP)
✅ Launched: 2003 (Integration of multiple disease control programs) ✅ Objective:
Control and eliminate malaria, dengue, chikungunya, filariasis, kala-azar, and Japanese encephalitis
Reduce morbidity and mortality from vector-borne diseases ✅ Strategy:
Mosquito control measures: Insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying
Public health campaigns: Prevention awareness, fogging, and larval control
Early diagnosis & treatment: Free rapid diagnostic kits and anti-malarial drugs
Elimination targets:
Lymphatic Filariasis by 2030
Kala-Azar by 2027
Key Achievements:
✔ India declared polio-free by WHO in 2014 ✔ Leprosy prevalence reduced to less than 1 case per 10,000 population ✔ HIV/AIDS cases stabilized with better ART coverage ✔ Blindness rate significantly reduced due to cataract surgeries ✔ TB treatment success rate improved with DOTS strategy
2. Maternal & Child Health Programs
Program
Full Form
Objective
RCH Program
Reproductive & Child Health Program
Improve maternal & child health
ICDS
Integrated Child Development Services
Child nutrition, preschool education
UIP
Universal Immunization Program
Vaccination for infants & pregnant women
These programs aim to improve maternal health, child nutrition, and immunization to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates (IMR & MMR) and promote overall well-being.
1. Reproductive & Child Health (RCH) Program
Aspect
Details
Launched
1997 (under National Health Mission)
Objective
Improve maternal & child health, reduce MMR & IMR
Key Services
– Free antenatal & postnatal care
Institutional deliveries under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)
Family planning services (contraceptive methods)
Free treatment of sick newborns under Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)
– Supplementary nutrition for children (0-6 years), pregnant & lactating women
Growth monitoring & health check-ups
Early childhood education at Anganwadi centers
Health & nutrition awareness for mothers | | Implementing Agency | Ministry of Women & Child Development | | Target Beneficiaries | Children (0-6 years), pregnant & lactating mothers |
9-12 Months: Measles-Rubella (MR), Japanese Encephalitis (JE), Vitamin A
16-24 Months: Booster doses of DPT, OPV, Vitamin A
5-6 Years: DPT booster
10 & 16 Years: Tetanus-Diphtheria (TD) | | Special Programs | – Mission Indradhanush (2014) – To cover missed-out children
Intensified Mission Indradhanush (2017) – Strengthening immunization in hard-to-reach areas | | Target Beneficiaries | Infants, children under 5 years, pregnant women |
Quick Learning Summary:
Program
Focus Area
Beneficiaries
Key Benefits
RCH
Maternal & Child Health
Pregnant women, newborns, adolescents
Safe delivery, free treatment, family planning
ICDS
Child Nutrition & Development
Children (0-6 years), pregnant & lactating mothers
Nutrition, preschool education, health check-ups
UIP
Immunization & Disease Prevention
Infants, children under 5, pregnant women
Free vaccines for life-threatening diseases
3. Non-Communicable Disease Control Programs
Program
Full Form
Objective
NMHP
National Mental Health Program
Mental health care & awareness
NPCDCS
National Program for Prevention & Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke
Reduce NCD burden
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) like mental illnesses, cancer, diabetes, heart diseases, and stroke are rising due to lifestyle changes, stress, and urbanization. The government has launched programs to control and manage these diseases.
1. National Mental Health Program (NMHP)
Aspect
Details
Launched
1982
Objective
Provide accessible and affordable mental health care and increase awareness
Key Services
– Establishment of District Mental Health Programs (DMHPs)
Strengthening psychiatric hospitals & primary health centers for mental healthcare
Awareness programs to reduce stigma
Integration of mental health with general healthcare | | Target Beneficiaries | People suffering from depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, substance abuse, etc. |
2. National Program for Prevention & Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke (NPCDCS)
Aspect
Details
Launched
2010
Objective
Reduce the burden of NCDs through prevention, early detection, and management
Key Strategies
– Screening & early detection at primary health centers
Awareness & lifestyle modification programs
Free treatment for poor patients
Establishment of NCD clinics in government hospitals
Capacity building for healthcare workers | | Target Beneficiaries | High-risk groups (elderly, obese individuals, smokers, diabetics, etc.) |
Free NCD screening, early detection, lifestyle modification programs
4. Hygiene & Healthcare Access Programs
Program
Full Form
Objective
SBM
Swachh Bharat Mission
Clean India, sanitation
ABY
Ayushman Bharat Yojana
Free healthcare for poor families
ABDM
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
Digital health records system
NHM
National Health Mission (NRHM & NUHM)
Strengthen rural & urban health services
NAM
National AYUSH Mission
Promotion of Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha & Homeopathy
These programs aim to improve sanitation, healthcare accessibility, and the promotion of traditional medicine. They focus on providing affordable healthcare, digital health integration, and holistic wellness.
1. Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)
Aspect
Details
Launched
2014
Objective
Achieve a Clean India by promoting sanitation and hygiene
Key Strategies
– Construction of household & community toilets
Elimination of open defecation
Waste management & clean drinking water initiatives
Hygiene awareness programs in schools & rural areas | | Target Beneficiaries | Entire population, especially rural communities |
Promotion of Yoga & naturopathy for preventive healthcare | | Target Beneficiaries | General population, especially those preferring alternative medicine |
Quick Learning Summary
Program
Focus Area
Key Benefits
Target Beneficiaries
SBM
Sanitation & Hygiene
Open defecation-free India, clean water, waste management
Entire population, rural areas
ABY
Free Healthcare
₹5 lakh insurance, cashless hospitalization
Poor families
ABDM
Digital Health Records
Health ID, e-prescriptions, telemedicine
All citizens
NHM
Rural & Urban Health
Strengthening hospitals, free medicines, maternal care
Rural & urban poor
NAM
AYUSH Promotion
Ayurveda, Yoga, research, integration with modern medicine
Traditional medicine users
5. National Nutrition Programs
Program
Full Form
Objective
NIDDCP
National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Program
Eliminate iodine deficiency
NIPI
National Iron Plus Initiative
Control anemia
NVAP
National Vitamin A Prophylaxis Program
Prevent Vitamin A deficiency
MDM
Mid-Day Meal Program
Nutrition for school children
BNP
Balwadi Nutrition Program
Nutrition for preschool children
These programs aim to address micronutrient deficiencies, malnutrition, and anemia, ensuring proper nutrition for children and vulnerable groups.
1. National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Program (NIDDCP)
Aspect
Details
Launched
1992
Objective
Eliminate iodine deficiency disorders (IDD)
Key Strategies
– Universal salt iodization
Public awareness on iodine-rich diets
Screening and treatment of IDD cases | | Target Beneficiaries | General population, especially pregnant women & children |
2. National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI)
Aspect
Details
Launched
2013
Objective
Reduce anemia through iron supplementation
Key Strategies
– Weekly Iron Folic Acid Supplementation (WIFS) for adolescents
Biannual deworming for children
Awareness campaigns on iron-rich foods | | Target Beneficiaries | Pregnant women, children (6 months-19 years), adolescents |
3. National Vitamin A Prophylaxis Program (NVAP)
Aspect
Details
Launched
1970
Objective
Prevent Vitamin A deficiency & childhood blindness
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