National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) - Benefits and Objectives

The National Urban Health Mission (NUHM), a sub-mission of the National Health Mission (NHM), was approved by the Cabinet on May 1, 2013, to strengthen urban healthcare for low-income populations in India.
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3 mins
10-June-2025

While the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) was officially launched in 2013, efforts to address urban health had already begun in 2005 under the broader National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). According to the 2011 Census, more than 377 million people—over 31.16% of India's total population—reside in urban areas.

What is the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM)?

The National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) is a key healthcare initiative by the Government of India, introduced in 2005. Its main objective is to ensure accessible and affordable healthcare services for economically disadvantaged individuals living in urban areas. NUHM operates as a sub-mission under the broader National Health Mission (NHM). Below are some of the key factors that drive the mission’s implementation and focus.

Expensive healthcare costs

Over the past few decades, rapid advancements in technology and medical science have transformed the nursing and healthcare sectors. However, these developments have also led to a sharp rise in healthcare costs. To address the primary healthcare needs of the urban poor, the Indian government launched the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM), ensuring essential services remain accessible and affordable for underserved urban communities.

Population explosion

Since 1941, India has experienced a steady and substantial rise in its urban population. As per a United Nations (UN) report, India’s urban population is projected to reach around 675 million by 2035. At the current pace of urbanisation, it's estimated that by 2030, nearly 46% of the country’s population will be living in urban areas.

Poor health of children

A recent survey revealed that 46% of children in urban areas are underweight, and issues related to low immunity among children are increasingly on the rise. In response to these growing health concerns, the government launched the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) to support the urban population in accessing essential and affordable healthcare services.

Overview of National Urban Health Mission (NUHM)

Given below is a brief overview of the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM):

Scheme name

NUHM – National Urban Health Mission

Year of launch

2005

Objective

To effectively address the health concerns of the urban poor population.

Funding ratio

Except for North-Eastern states including Sikkim, the funding ratio is 75:25. In special category states like Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, it's 90:10.


What is the role of National Urban Health Mission (NUHM)?

The National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) plays a major role in improving the healthcare facilities in urban areas. NUHM aims to provide accessible and affordable healthcare services to the urban population. It aims to strengthen public health systems and provide comprehensive primary healthcare services to the poor and underprivileged sections of society. NUHM also focuses on preventive measures to control the spread of communicable and non-communicable diseases. It is a key player in India's efforts to achieve universal health coverage, and its role is crucial in ensuring that all citizens have access to quality healthcare services and health insurance.

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What are the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) objectives?

The National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) in India aims to enhance the overall health and sanitation of urban populations. While its core focus is on bridging gaps in healthcare access, the mission also emphasizes disease prevention and reducing mortality rates. Below are some of its other key objectives:

  • Strengthening Healthcare Systems and Infrastructure
    NUHM places strong emphasis on building robust healthcare systems and sustainable infrastructure. This ensures that timely and adequate health services are made available to those in need across urban areas.
  • Tackling Health Worker Shortages
    Recognising the critical impact of health worker shortages, especially during emergencies, NUHM aims to boost the healthcare workforce in urban regions. This is achieved through proper training and capacity-building initiatives for service providers.
  • Ensuring Affordable Healthcare Access
    One of NUHM’s core goals is to make healthcare services both affordable and accessible, particularly for economically weaker sections in urban settings, helping reduce financial barriers to essential treatment.
  • Lowering Mortality Rates
    NUHM actively works toward bringing down maternal and infant mortality rates in urban areas. It does so through a combination of awareness initiatives and improvements in healthcare delivery.
  • Bridging Health Inequality Gaps
    Health inequalities—differences in health outcomes among various population groups—are often preventable. NUHM addresses these disparities by focusing on equitable access to healthcare and targeting underserved communities.

Another government health insurance scheme that is available for people is the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). Check the PMJAY registration here.

What are the key features of the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM)

NUHM focuses on the provision of effective health care services to the urban poor population. Here’s a quick look at the key features of NUHM.

Features

Specifications

Network hospitals

Tie-up with several hospitals across India to provide quality healthcare services

Urban Social Health Activists (USHA)

One USHA against 1,000-2,000 urban poor population, covering around 200-500 households.

Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (AUM)

About four to five ANMs are appointed in every primary healthcare service centre.

Urban Community Health Centre (U-CHC)

These are satellite hospitals, comprising 30-40 beds providing patient services.

Community-based groups

Encourages to create groups to provide different healthcare requirements. For example, Mahila Arogya Samiti promotes necessary health and hygiene practices for the eligible section of people.
Urban Primary Health Centre (U-PHC)
 Primary lab diagnosis, outpatient department (OPD) consultation, health education and counselling for communicable and non-communicable diseases, drug dispensing etc.
Convergence for communicable and non-communicable diseases The NUHM offers integrated solutions for both communicable and non-communicable diseases, including HIV/AIDS, by emphasising coordinated planning at the municipal level.
Community-based groups NUHM has several groups for serving different healthcare requirements in eligible communities.
MPLADS (Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme) MLAs, MPs, and MCs receive area development funds through NUHM, which they can utilize to establish essential health facilities in urban areas as they see fit.


Key benefits of the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM)

Here are the key benefits of National Urban Health Mission (NUHM):

  • Promotion of preventive and curative health care services.
  • Training of health care staff to strengthen health systems.
  • Provision of free medication, diagnostics, and follow-ups.
  • Home-based care services for elderly, disabled, and bedridden patients.
  • Counselling services on health-related issues for women and children.
  • Aims to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates by providing quality healthcare facilities to expectant mothers and newborns.
  • Provides health care facilities to people living with diseases such as TB, HIV, and other communicable diseases.

Who is eligible for the National Urban Health Mission?

The eligibility for National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) is anyone living in urban areas, particularly the urban poor, and other vulnerable sections of the society. NUHM provides essential healthcare services to all the urban poor, irrespective of their caste, religion, or gender. The health insurance scheme provides affordable healthcare services to the economically weaker sections, which include migrant workers, daily wage earners, and people living in slums.

What are the components of NUHM?

Here are the components of NUHM-

Population Policy

The National Population Policy (2000) was designed not only to address the unmet demand for contraception but also to promote an integrated delivery of basic reproductive and child healthcare services.
The policy outlined the following long-term goals to be achieved by 2010:

  • Reduce the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) to replacement levels
  • Achieve an Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) of less than 30 per 1,000 live births
  • Bring down the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) to below 100 per 100,000 live births

Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh (JSK)

To support population stabilisation efforts, the National Population Stabilisation Fund was established under the National Commission on Population in July 2000.
It was later shifted to the Department of Health and Family Welfare in April 2002 and subsequently restructured and renamed as Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh (JSK) under the Societies Registration Act (1860) in June 2003.

Geographical Information System (GIS) Mapping

As part of JSK’s initiatives, GIS mapping was carried out across 450 districts in India by integrating Census data with geographic maps.
These detailed maps offer a clear overview of:

  • Each district and its subdivisions
  • The population of every village
  • The distance of each village from the nearest healthcare facility

This mapping system highlights disparities in healthcare coverage at the village level, helping authorities allocate resources more effectively to underserved areas.

What is the Funding Pattern of NUHM

The funding for this scheme is jointly shared by the Central and State governments.

For most states, the cost-sharing ratio is 75:25, with 75% contributed by the Central government and 25% by the respective State governments.
However, for the North-Eastern states (including Sikkim) and other special category states such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir, the funding is shared in a 90:10 ratio, with the Centre bearing a larger share.

The Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) submitted by the states are reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare before implementation.

How to avail of National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) benefits?

First, you need to check if you are eligible for NUHM benefits. Only people living in urban areas, below the poverty line, and without any health insurance coverage can avail the NUHM benefits.

Next, you need to visit the nearest NUHM centre and register yourself. The centre will provide you with a unique ID card, which you can use to avail NUHM benefits.

After registration, you can visit any government or network private hospital for medical consultation and treatment. National Urban Health Mission will cover all the healthcare expenses, and you will not have to pay anything out of your pocket.

The National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) is a crucial initiative of the Government of India. The scheme provides comprehensive healthcare services, including preventive and curative care, diagnostics, and follow-ups. NUHM also works towards strengthening the health systems and improving the health infrastructure in urban areas.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the full form of NUHM?

The full form of NUHM is National Urban Health Mission.

When was National Urban Health Mission launched in India?

The Government of India launched National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) in India in the year 2013.

What is the purpose of the National Urban Health Mission?

The primary purpose of the NUHM is to provide essential and quality healthcare services to vulnerable sections of society residing in urban areas. The scheme aims to provide affordable medical services to the urban poor. It also aims at reducing infant and maternal mortality rates by strengthening the healthcare system and training health workers.

Who funds the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM)?

The central government and state governments fund the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) as part of the National Health Mission scheme. Under the NUHM, the central government provides up to 70% of funds to the north-eastern states and 60% to the other states and UTs.

What are the achievements of NUHM so far?

Some of the achievements of NUHM include the establishment of Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs), improvement in maternal and child health services, and increased awareness about preventive healthcare among urban citizens.

What is the role of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in NUHM?

Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a vital role in NUHM. They act as a bridge between the community and the healthcare system and provide doorstep healthcare services and counselling to people in urban areas.

What is the difference between NUHM and NRHM (National Rural Health Mission)?

The main difference between NUHM and NRHM is the area of focus. While NUHM is focused on providing healthcare services to people living in urban areas, NRHM is focused on improving the healthcare infrastructure and services in rural areas. Both initiatives are aimed at providing quality healthcare to people in different geographic locations to overcome regional disparities.

Who launched National Urban Health Mission (NUHM)?

The central government had launched National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) in 2013. It is a flagship programme that aims to improve the healthcare services in urban areas. NUHM focuses on strengthening public health systems and providing affordable healthcare to the poor and underprivileged sections of society. It is an important initiative in India's efforts to ensure that all citizens have access to quality healthcare services and health insurance.

Does NUHM have different roles in different states/UTs?

NUHM's roles may vary across states and Union Territories (UTs) based on their specific urban health needs, demographics, and healthcare infrastructure. This flexibility allows NUHM to adapt its strategies and interventions to local contexts effectively.

What is the purpose of NUHM?

The NUHM scheme strives to address the comprehensive health needs and financial challenges faced by urban residents, with a particular focus on those living in poverty.

What are the benefits of the National Health Mission?

The National Health Mission aims to attain universal access to fair, affordable, and high-quality healthcare services that are accountable and responsive to the needs of the people.

What is the goal of the National Health Mission (NHM)?

The National Health Mission (NHM) aims to provide universal access to affordable, equitable, and quality healthcare services, especially for vulnerable and underserved populations.
Its key goals include:

  • Strengthening the public health system
  • Reducing maternal and infant mortality rates
  • Controlling communicable and non-communicable diseases
  • Promoting reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCH+A)
  • Improving healthcare infrastructure and human resources across rural and urban areas
What is the Urban Health Initiative in India?

The Urban Health Initiative in India refers primarily to the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM), which was launched as a sub-mission under NHM. It focuses on meeting the primary healthcare needs of the urban poor, especially slum dwellers and other vulnerable sections of society.

Key objectives of the initiative include:

  • Providing accessible and affordable primary healthcare services in urban areas
  • Addressing gaps in infrastructure and healthcare workforce
  • Strengthening urban health centres and outreach services
  • Reducing health disparities and improving sanitation and disease prevention among urban populations
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