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. (UPSC 2013)

The Millennium Development Goals related to health are Goal 4 (reduce child mortality), Goal 5 (improve maternal health) and Goal 6 (combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases). India made notable progress, though achievements were uneven across States and social groups.

• Child health: Under-five mortality and infant mortality fell sharply. The National Rural Health Mission, Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram, immunisation drives and ICDS improved access to care, though the final target was narrowly missed.
• Maternal health: Janani Suraksha Yojana, skilled birth attendance and antenatal care expanded institutional deliveries. Maternal mortality declined, but poor States lagged behind better-performing ones.
• Diseases: HIV infections fell, malaria incidence declined, and TB was brought under better control through NACP, vector-borne disease control and DOTS-based TB services.

Overall, government action was successful in accelerating health outcomes, especially through mission-mode delivery and cash incentives. Yet persistent gaps in nutrition, public health infrastructure and regional inequality limited full achievement of the MDG targets.