Omkar Dattatray
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly emphasized that the four most vital pillars of society deserving the government’s unwavering attention are women, youth, farmers, and traders. Among these, he accords special importance to women, recognizing that the health and empowerment of women are inseparable from the strength and prosperity of families and, by extension, the nation. A healthy woman forms the cornerstone of a healthy household, and only when women are physically and mentally sound can a family truly thrive. With this conviction, the Modi government launched the Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan, a visionary national initiative that seeks to translate this belief into action by ensuring the health, well-being, and empowerment of women across India. On the auspicious occasion of his 75th birthday, on 17 September 2025, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan from Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, amid great enthusiasm and patriotic fervour. The launch of this Abhiyaan underscored his deep concern for the welfare of women and his resolve to make them central to India’s developmental narrative. This nationwide health mission is intricately aligned with the government’s ongoing efforts to promote family and social empowerment through improved health and nutrition outcomes for women and children. It complements the objectives of Poshan Maah, a month-long campaign dedicated to spreading awareness about nutrition, by reinforcing the crucial link between women’s health and national strength.
The Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan is a comprehensive initiative designed to address a wide spectrum of health challenges faced by women, adolescent girls, and children. Its activities are focused on several key goals—improving health outcomes for women and children, screening for communicable and non- communicable diseases, conducting counselling sessions on hygiene and nutrition, strengthening immunization and maternal health coverage, and ensuring universal access to quality healthcare services. In essence, it embodies the vision of Healthy Women, Empowered Families, and a Stronger India. To translate this vision into reality, more than ten lakh health camps are being organized across the country from 17 September to 2 October 2025, in every government health facility, making it the largest-ever health outreach for women and children in India’s history. These camps, already operational in numerous regions, are practical steps toward achieving the campaign’s central objective—ensuring that women and children receive comprehensive, preventive, and promotive healthcare. As the Prime Minister remarked, “Our mothers and sisters, our Nari Shakti, are the foundation of national progress. When a mother is healthy, the entire family flourishes.” Dedicated to the health and well-being of women, this campaign celebrates their indispensable role in shaping India’s destiny.
Modi described Nari Shakti as a key pillar of Viksit Bharat—a developed India—and called the Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan a Maha Abhiyan towards achieving women-led development. He urged women to undergo health screenings for life-threatening ailments such as cancer, anaemia, tuberculosis, and sickle cell disease. The Abhiyaan was launched in conjunction with the 8th Rashtriya Poshan Maah, symbolizing the government’s integrated approach to health and nutrition. The event saw the presence of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, while Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda joined the ceremony virtually from Haryana, where he inaugurated multiple health camps alongside Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. The initiative is a joint effort by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Ministry of Women and Child Development, signifying the convergence of national resources and expertise to address women’s health holistically. It will focus on preventive, promotive, and curative healthcare for women and children, with activities spanning across all states and union territories. More than one lakh health camps are being conducted nationwide, offering screening for non-communicable diseases, cancers, anaemia, tuberculosis, and sickle cell disease, alongside maternal and reproductive health services. Moreover, the campaign promotes nutrition counselling, menstrual hygiene awareness, lifestyle and mental health education, and community engagement to foster a culture of wellness and self-care among women. Union Minister J.P. Nadda, in his post on X (formerly Twitter), highlighted that the initiative aims to enhance access, quality, and awareness of healthcare for women and children. He called upon private hospitals and civil society organizations to actively participate in this Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation) movement, thereby transforming it into a collective mission rather than a mere government program. The campaign mobilizes a wide range of stakeholders—ASHA and Anganwadi workers, Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), self-help groups, Panchayati Raj institutions, and youth volunteers under the MY Bharat initiative—to spread awareness at the grassroots level and ensure no woman is left behind. Specialized services in gynaecology, paediatrics, dermatology, ophthalmology, psychiatry, and dentistry are being extended through government medical colleges, district hospitals, and central institutions such as AIIMS, ESIC, and CGHS facilities. Private healthcare providers are also expected to contribute significantly by organizing supplementary camps and offering diagnostic and treatment support. The campaign also includes testing for anaemia and nutritional deficiencies, cancer screening, immunization drives, antenatal care services, tuberculosis and sickle cell testing, blood donation camps, and AYUSH -based wellness activities such as yoga and meditation. Beneficiaries will be integrated with digital health services, including Ayushman Bharat Health Accounts (ABHA) and the PM-JAY scheme, to ensure continuity of care and build a long-term health record system for women. Furthermore, the campaign reflects a spirit of inter-ministerial collaboration. Ministries such as Rural Development, Education, Youth Affairs, Tribal Affairs, Social Justice, Defence, Railways, and AYUSH have joined hands in this convergence effort to maximize the initiative’s reach and impact. The Health Ministry has emphasized that this mission is deeply aligned with the Prime Minister’s broader vision of a healthy, fit, and developed India by 2047—the centenary year of India’s independence.
In his address, Prime Minister Modi also made a heartfelt appeal to citizens and traders alike, urging them to promote indigenous products and strengthen India’s self-reliance. He said, “Whatever you buy during the festive season should be made in India. Whatever you sell, it should come from your own country.” His call for Vocal for Local resonated with the spirit of the campaign, both reflecting a deep sense of national pride and commitment to inclusive growth. In conclusion, the Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan stands as a landmark in India’s journey towards holistic development. It is not merely a health campaign but a transformative social movement that acknowledges the central role of women in shaping the nation’s destiny. By prioritizing women’s health and empowerment, it strengthens the very foundation of families and communities. Through collective participation, medical innovation, and a spirit of service, this Abhiyaan heralds a new era of women-led progress—an India where every woman is healthy, every family is empowered, and the nation stands stronger than ever before.
(The writer is Retired Education Officer) |
