Q.Identify the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that are related to health. Discuss the success of the actions taken by the Government for achieving the same.

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Health-Related MDGs and Targets

• MDG 4: Reduce Child Mortality
  • Aim: Reduce the under-five mortality rate (U5MR) by two-thirds between 1990 and 2015.
• MDG 5: Improve Maternal Health
  • Aim: Reduce the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) by three-quarters and achieve universal access to reproductive health.
• MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Other Diseases
  • Aim: Halt and begin to reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other major infectious diseases.

Government Actions and Success

• MDG 4: Reduce Child Mortality
  • Interventions: The Government of India launched targeted programs including the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), the Universal Immunization Program (UIP), and Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY).
  • Success: India's U5MR declined significantly from 126 per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 39 in 2015. Initiatives like Mission Indradhanush further expanded immunization coverage among vulnerable children.
• MDG 5: Improve Maternal Health
  • Interventions: Key schemes such as Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) and Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) were implemented to incentivize institutional deliveries and provide free maternal care.
  • Success: The MMR was reduced from 556 per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 167 in 2015. While this represented a monumental achievement, it fell slightly short of the strict MDG target of a 75% reduction.
• MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Other Diseases
  • Interventions: The government scaled up the National AIDS Control Program (NACP), distributed insecticide-treated bed nets, and expanded free DOTS therapy under the Revised National TB Control Program (RNTCP).
  • Success: India successfully stabilized its adult HIV prevalence below 0.3%, and malaria-related mortality saw a steep decline over the target period.