India's healthcare system has gradually shifted from a curative, hospital-centric model inherited from colonial times towards a more integrated, preventive, and primary healthcare-focused approach, driven by national policies and global declarations. Recent events like COVID-19 have accelerated reforms and infrastructure development.

• 1946Bhore Committee Report: Recommended integrated, comprehensive healthcare with strong PHC.
• 1978Alma Ata Declaration: Global call for 'Health for All' through Primary Healthcare (PHC).
• 1983National Health Policy (NHP 1983): First NHP, emphasized PHC and universal access.
• 2002National Health Policy (NHP 2002): Focused on increasing public health spending and equitable access.
• 2005National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) launched: Major push for rural healthcare infrastructure and human resources.
• 2013National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) launched: Complementary to NRHM, for urban health needs. (NRHM + NUHM = NHM)
• 2017National Health Policy (NHP 2017): Prioritized Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC), NCDs, and increased public spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2025.
• 2018Ayushman Bharat launched: Two pillars - PM-JAY (health insurance) & Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) for CPHC.
• 2020COVID-19 Pandemic: Exposed vulnerabilities, spurred focus on public health preparedness.
• 2021PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) launched: To strengthen critical healthcare infrastructure from primary to tertiary.
• 2025Continued expansion of HWCs: Aim to operationalize 1.5 lakh HWCs, focus on NCD screening and digital health integration.

India's healthcare system has gradually shifted from a curative, hospital-centric model inherited from colonial times towards a more integrated, preventive, and primary healthcare-focused approach, driven by national policies and global declarations. Recent events like COVID-19 have accelerated reforms and infrastructure development.

• 1946Bhore Committee Report: Recommended integrated, comprehensive healthcare with strong PHC.
• 1978Alma Ata Declaration: Global call for 'Health for All' through Primary Healthcare (PHC).
• 1983National Health Policy (NHP 1983): First NHP, emphasized PHC and universal access.
• 2002National Health Policy (NHP 2002): Focused on increasing public health spending and equitable access.
• 2005National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) launched: Major push for rural healthcare infrastructure and human resources.
• 2013National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) launched: Complementary to NRHM, for urban health needs. (NRHM + NUHM = NHM)
• 2017National Health Policy (NHP 2017): Prioritized Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC), NCDs, and increased public spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2025.
• 2018Ayushman Bharat launched: Two pillars - PM-JAY (health insurance) & Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs) for CPHC.
• 2020COVID-19 Pandemic: Exposed vulnerabilities, spurred focus on public health preparedness.
• 2021PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) launched: To strengthen critical healthcare infrastructure from primary to tertiary.
• 2025Continued expansion of HWCs: Aim to operationalize 1.5 lakh HWCs, focus on NCD screening and digital health integration.