New Delhi: Tribal healthcare access has improved across remote and hard-to-reach regions through expanded infrastructure, relaxed norms, and digital services under the National Health Mission, the Union government informed the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav shared the details in a written reply. He said the Ministry provided technical and financial support to States and Union Territories through Programme Implementation Plans under the NHM framework.
According to the reply, 1.82 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are now operational nationwide. Of these, 30,817 function in 178 tribal districts. These centres deliver comprehensive primary healthcare, including preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative services.
To improve physical access, the NHM relaxed norms for tribal, hilly, and difficult terrain areas. The population requirement for Sub Health Centres was reduced to 3,000, for Primary Health Centres to 20,000, and for Community Health Centres to 80,000. In addition, the government allowed one ASHA worker per habitation instead of per 1,000 population.
Tribal healthcare access expanded through infrastructure and digital care
The government has also strengthened infrastructure under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. Under PM-ABHIM, authorities approved 168 Integrated Public Health Laboratories and 110 Critical Care Hospital Blocks in tribal districts.
To reach remote villages, the NHM supports Mobile Medical Units. As of June 30, 2025, 1,477 such units were deployed nationwide. Under the PM-JANMAN initiative, the government further relaxed norms to allow up to 10 mobile units per district in Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group areas. It also approved additional Auxiliary Nurse Midwives for newly built centres.
Digital health services have also expanded. Teleconsultation facilities operate at all Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, including those in tribal regions. As of December 31, 2025, these centres conducted 42.66 crore teleconsultations nationwide. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission supports this effort by enabling interoperable digital health records and efficient care delivery.
The government has focused on women’s health through RMNCAH+N strategies. It promoted institutional deliveries through Janani Suraksha Yojana and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram. ASHAs and frontline workers continue regular outreach, health education, and screening in tribal habitations.
The ministry said it regularly monitors programme performance through review meetings, field visits, and annual Common Review Missions. Officials also use Health Dynamics of India reports to track infrastructure and human resource gaps across States.
The minister said these combined efforts aimed to ensure equitable healthcare delivery and sustained improvements in health outcomes in tribal and remote areas.
