Marked annually on 7 April, the World Health Day is a strong reminder of the urgent health issues across the world and the necessity of collective response for enhancing public health achievements. Launched by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1950, this day has become an important platform to create awareness, generate commitment, and mark the achievements in health systems globally. In 2025, the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures” marks the beginning of a year-long global campaign focusing on maternal and newborn health. The campaign calls on all nations to put an end to avoidable maternal and child deaths and foster the long-term health of women, building the foundation for healthier generations.

Aligning with this global vision, the Government of India continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to equitable and quality healthcare through the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Over the past decade, India’s public health landscape has undergone significant transformation, driven by initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat and the National Health Mission (NHM), which have expanded access to maternal and child healthcare, enhanced digital health services, and improved public health infrastructure.

India has made significant progress in maternal and child health, lowering mortality rates and enhancing service delivery in a major way. The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) declined from 130 (2014–2016) to 97 (2018–2020) per 1,00,000 live births, a 33-point drop. In 30 years, from 1990 to 2020, India’s MMR decreased by an astonishing 83%, well ahead of the 42% decline in the world. In a similar manner, the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) fell from 39 in 2014 to 28 in 2020 per 1,000 live births. Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) and Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) have also experienced significant reductions, which highlight the success of targeted interventions.

These gains are supported by robust grass-root programs as well as integration of technology. Programs such as the Maternal Death Surveillance and Response (MDSR), the Mother and Child Protection Card, and the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) Portal are providing timely, informed care to women and children. Programs such as Anaemia Mukt Bharat and Birth Waiting Homes are bridging regional gaps and providing improved maternal outcomes in far-flung regions. Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Days as well as outreach camps remain pivotal points for people contact and provision of services.

The government has also worked to provide accessible and quality primary health care services by more than 1.76 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Health and Wellness Centres), offering diabetes and hypertension screenings, wellness activities like yoga and meditation, and whole-person health support. Over 107 crore hypertension tests and 94 crore diabetes tests have been done till date. These centers have organized over 5 crore wellness activities, nurturing preventive health in the country.

India’s digital health journey has also been one of transformation. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has established more than 76 crore Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA), linking patients and providers in a secure, interoperable digital environment. More than 52 crore health records have been associated under the programme, and over 5.95 lakh authentic healthcare professionals are a part of this digital revolution. Augmenting ABDM is U-WIN, an electronic platform for monitoring immunization of pregnant women and children, under which close to 30 crore doses of vaccines have been administered till December 2024.

Telemedicine has become an essential support pillar of accessible healthcare. eSanjeevani, India’s national telemedicine platform, has enabled more than 36 crore consultations, becoming the world’s largest telemedicine platform for primary care. With more than 2.3 lakh providers on board and 130 specialties covered, it has transformed doctor-patient connectivity in remote locations.

Disease control and elimination continue to be high priorities. India’s graduation out of WHO’s High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) list for malaria in 2024 is a big achievement, after a 69% reduction in cases. Trachoma and Kala-azar have also been eradicated as public health issues. In the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme, incidence of TB has declined by 17.7% since 2015, with an 83% reduction in lost TB cases. The Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan has mobilized more than 2.5 lakh Ni-kshay Mitra volunteers to assist 15 lakh TB patients.

The government’s initiative towards universal health coverage is also reflected in the Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which now insures more than 55 crore economically weaker citizens with ₹5 lakh health insurance per family. As of April 2025, over 40 crore Ayushman Cards have been distributed and over 8.5 crore hospital admissions have been sanctioned under the scheme.

Mental well-being has also been given the attention it deserves. Tele-MANAS, the countrywide tele-mental health program, has 53 cells in 36 states and UTs and provides 24×7 care in 20 languages. Having processed more than 20 lakh calls and with a strong allocation of more than ₹230 crore in three years, India is leading the way towards inclusive mental well-being support.

While India celebrates World Health Day 2025, it is more than a slogan to be “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures”—it is a reflection of its perseverance towards health equity, well-being of mothers, and striving for a strong public health system. In conjunction with collective action and active citizenship, India is steadily progressing towards universal health coverage and a healthier, more empowered future for everyone.