Source: TH
Context:
In June 2025, India ranked 99th out of 167 countries in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Index, its best-ever performance, improving from 109 in 2024. While progress is evident in basic services and infrastructure, SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) remains a major challenge, with India off-track on several health targets.
Key Highlights:
- Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): 97 per 100,000 live births (Target: 70).
- Under-5 Mortality Rate: 32 per 1,000 live births (Target: 25).
- Life Expectancy: 70 years (Target: 73.63 years).
- Out-of-Pocket Expenditure: 13% of total consumption (Target: 7.83%).
- Immunisation Coverage: 93.23% (Target: 100%).
Challenges Identified
- Access barriers: Poor infrastructure, affordability gaps.
- Non-economic factors: Malnutrition, poor hygiene, sanitation.
- Cultural barriers: Stigma around physical & mental health, low awareness.
Recommendations for Accelerated Progress
- Universal Health Insurance: Reduce catastrophic health costs, improve equity.
- Strengthening Primary Health Care: Better coordination between primary, secondary, and tertiary levels; leverage digital health tools (telemedicine, e-records).
- Health Education in Schools:
- Early lessons on nutrition, hygiene, reproductive health, road safety, mental health.
- Global models: Finland’s school reforms (1970s), Japan’s compulsory health education.
- Reorientation of PDS-type interventions for nutrition: Targeting protein-rich diets and maternal health.
Policy Significance
- India’s SDG progress highlights infrastructure gains, but health gaps remain critical bottlenecks.
- Embedding health education in schools can create long-term behavioural change.
- Aligning reforms with Viksit Bharat 2047 vision requires universal healthcare + preventive education.
