Expansion marks a critical step towards universal health coverage and equitable access to quality healthcare services across the country
New Delhi:Health insurance/financing scheme coverage in the country has expanded significantly from 41 per cent in 2019-21 to 60.2 per cent in 2023-24 at the household level, reflecting the success of government-led initiatives aimed at strengthening financial protection in healthcare, according to the National Family Health Survey – 6(NFHS-6),prepared by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare(MoHFW).
Flagship schemes such as Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) have played a pivotal role in increasing access to affordable healthcare services, particularly for vulnerable populations. This expansion marks a critical step towards universal health coverage and equitable access to quality healthcare services across the country.
The MoHFW released the National Family Health Survey – 6, here today. The NFHS-6 was conducted during 2023-24 by MoHFW with the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai as the nodal agency.
Covering nearly 6.79 lakh households across 715 districts, the survey provides vital evidence on population, health, nutrition and family welfare indicators and supports evidence-based planning and programme implementation up to the district level.
Women’s Empowerment and Financial Inclusion
NFHS-6 records continued advancement in women’s digital inclusion and financial empowerment. Women who had ever used the internet nearly doubled from 33.3 per cent to 64.3 per cent.
Women having a bank or savings account that they themselves use increased from 78.6 per cent to 89 per cent, and women having a mobile phone that they themselves use rose from 53.9 per cent to 63.6 per cent.
NFHS-6 provides critical evidence for programme implementation and policymaking across health and social sectors. The findings reflect steady gains in maternal and child health, nutrition, women’s empowerment and access to essential services.
At the same time, emerging challenges such as rising non-communicable diseases, lifestyle-related risks and the dual burden of undernutrition and rising overweight/obesity among adults highlight the need for continued focus on preventive healthcare, behavioural change and balanced nutrition strategies.
Overall, the findings reaffirm India’s steady progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With continued emphasis on convergence, last-mile delivery and inclusive growth, India is well-positioned to sustain these gains and further improve the health and well-being of its population.