Improving Access and Efficiency in Public Health Services: Mid-term Evaluation of India's National Rural Health Mission

This book presents a systematic mid-term evaluation of the processes of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), India s biggest rural health program. Data from District Level Health Surveys (DLHS), National Family Health Surveys (NFHS) and Sample Registration System (SRS) as well as primary data collected from field surveys and interviews with health functionaries have been utilized for undertaking empirical analysis in the study. It discusses the challenges and successes of the Mission with the help of extensive field observations, data analysis, and inputs from experts on health and nutrition sectors focusing on maternal, newborn, and child health issues and chronic diseases. The book draws from data collected in field visits in the three states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. After assessing the NRHM processes and progress achieved so far, it discusses important ground realities, identifies the gaps and bottlenecks in the implementation of the Mission and recommends corrective actions. The book will be useful for all those concerned with the issue of health and public administration in general and rural health in particular, such as, NGOs, IGOs, journalists, columnists, public policy planners, civil servants, and other practitioners.