JP Nadda Highlights NFHS-6 Data Showing Improvement In India’s Health Indicators

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Saturday said that the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6, 2023–24) reflects a significant transformation in India’s healthcare system, countering criticism from Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge over public health and nutrition indicators. Nadda said the data highlights “progress, not pessimism,” and accused opposition leaders of selectively interpreting health statistics for political purposes.

Responding to Kharge’s recent remarks, Nadda said public health outcomes should not be reduced to political debates, adding that “selective reading may serve politics, but facts serve the nation.” He asserted that India’s healthcare journey over the past decade shows measurable improvements across maternal and child health indicators.

The Union Health Minister cited comparative data from NFHS-3 (2005–06) and NFHS-6 (2023–24), stating that institutional deliveries have risen sharply from 38.7 per cent to 90.6 per cent, while births attended by skilled health personnel have increased from 46.6 per cent to 91.3 per cent. He also noted that first-trimester antenatal registrations have improved significantly, rising from 43.9 per cent to 76.2 per cent.

Also Read: Sonia Gandhi Admitted To Gurugram Hospital For Tests Amid Third Hospitalisation This Year

Nadda further highlighted broader public health gains, including an increase in full immunisation coverage to 87.1 per cent, health insurance coverage rising from 4.9 per cent to 60.2 per cent, and the use of hygienic menstrual protection reaching 79.2 per cent. He also pointed out that child stunting has declined from 48 per cent to 29.3 per cent, calling these indicators evidence of improved healthcare delivery systems.

While acknowledging that challenges remain, the minister said the government continues to work on improving nutrition, maternal health and child welfare through sustained policy interventions. He emphasised that the progress reflected in NFHS-6 is the result of coordinated efforts in healthcare, sanitation, nutrition, financial inclusion and grassroots service delivery.

The remarks came after Kharge cited NFHS-5 data highlighting persistent concerns such as anaemia among women and child malnutrition. Responding to such criticism, Nadda said earlier decades were marked by weak healthcare systems and poor outcomes, while current data shows significant improvement in access and quality of services. He added that denying progress undermines the efforts of frontline health workers and the benefits reaching millions of citizens.

Also Read: What NFHS-6 Left Out: Anaemia Data and Key Health Indicators Gone Missing