Cabinet extends National Health Mission for 5 years; Goyal promises no budgetary constraints

Union Minister Piyush Goyal

Union minister Piyush Goyal on January 22 said the Union Cabinet has decided to extend the National Health Mission (NHM) for five more years.

While announcing the extension to NHM, Goyal said Centre will ensure there are no budgetary constraints to the scheme. The commerce minister hinted that the upcoming budget will show Centre's commitment to access to universal healthcare.

“Budget will be presented on February 1 and you will see the government has always focussed on health. And whatever funding is required for National Health Mission will be provided,” the minister said at the press briefing of Cabinet decisions in New Delhi.

#WATCH | Delhi | Announcing Cabinet decisions, Union Minister Piyush Goyal says,"National Health Mission will continue for another five years." pic.twitter.com/BAzE7A9LXL
ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2025

Listing the 'achievements' under the mission's tenure between 2021 and 2024, a government statement said over 12 lakh additional health workers have been engaged during the period and over 220 crore covid vaccine doses administered.

The mission also helped reduce MMR by 83 percent since 1990, which is a higher decline than the world average, the government statement claimed. The mission also helped achieve a reduced under-5 mortality rate and a lower incident of Tuberculosis.

This is a developing story