title: The National Rural Health Mission in India: its impact on maternal, neonatal, and infant mortality.
abstract: The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) has been a watershed in the history of India's health sector. As a previously unattempted investment, governance, and mobilization effort, the NRHM succeeded in injecting new energy into India's public health system. A huge expansion of infrastructure and human resources is the hallmark of the NRHM action. Demand-side initiatives led to enhanced utilization of public health facilities, especially for facility births. The impact is visible. The Mission has brought Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5 within India's grasp. Acceleration in infant and neonatal mortality reduction is especially notable. The NRHM has created conditions for the country to move toward universal health coverage.
authors.affiliation: Health Sector, Ernst & Young LLP, Gurgaon, India.
authors.forename: Shyama
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nagarajan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. Electronic address: vinodkpaul@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Vinod K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.affiliation: Ernst & Young - Public Health: Government & Public Sector, Advisory Services, Gurgaon, India.
authors.forename: Namrata
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Shuchita
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gupta
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007223:Infant; D007226:Infant Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008428:Maternal Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011634:Public Health / Q000639:trends*; D012423:Rural Health / Q000639:trends*
keywords: India; Infant mortality rates; Maternal mortality rates; Millennium Development Goals; National Rural Health Mission