The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) was a flagship program launched by the Government of India in 2005 to address the healthcare needs of rural populations across the country. The mission aimed to improve access to quality healthcare services, particularly for vulnerable and underserved communities in rural areas.
India's rural population faces significant health disparities compared to urban areas, including limited access to healthcare facilities, shortage of healthcare providers, and higher rates of maternal and child mortality. NRHM aimed to address these disparities by improving access to quality healthcare services in rural areas.
Co-author of a study on the NRHM Communication Pillar
The Communization pillar in the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) of India aimed to foster community participation and ownership in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of healthcare services at the grassroots level such as through the initiatives of Village Health and Sanitation Committees (VHSCs) and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs).
This study examined the practical implementation of the 'communitization' pillar of the NRHM, particularly its effectiveness in promoting meaningful participation in the health sector. Interviews and focus group discussions were conducted with various stakeholders, including government officials and participants involved in participatory initiatives launched by the NRHM, such as civil society organisations, community groups, and development partners.