India Needs More Focus to Reach SDG 3
Context
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India’s SDG Index Rank (2025): 99/167 (improved from 109 in 2024).
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Gains in access to services & infrastructure, but health and nutrition challenges remain.
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SDG 3 Goal: “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.”
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India off-track on many health indicators despite progress.
Current Status of Health Indicators (India vs SDG 3 Targets)
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Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): 97 per 100,000 live births (Target: 70).
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Under-5 Mortality Rate: 32 per 1,000 live births (Target: 25; Developed nations: 2–6).
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Life Expectancy: 70 years (Target: 73.63 years).
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Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure: 13% of total consumption (Target: 7.83%).
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Immunisation Coverage: 93.23% (Target: 100%).
Reasons for Gaps
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Economic Barriers: Poor access due to infrastructure & affordability.
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Non-Economic Factors: Malnutrition, poor hygiene, sanitation, lifestyle diseases.
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Cultural Barriers: Stigma, lack of awareness, reluctance to access healthcare.
Strategy to Accelerate SDG 3 Progress
1. Universal Health Coverage (UHC)
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Expand health insurance to reduce catastrophic expenditure.
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Greater equity in healthcare access.
2. Strengthening Primary Health Systems
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High-quality Primary Health Centres (PHCs) with referral linkages to secondary & tertiary care.
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Early disease detection → lower hospitalisation costs, better outcomes.
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Digital Health Tools: Telemedicine, digital records, vaccination tracking.
3. Health Education (Prevention Focus)
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School-based health education on nutrition, hygiene, reproductive health, mental health, road safety.
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Builds lifelong healthy habits.
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Long-term impact → lower MMR, reduced child mortality, higher life expectancy.
Global Models & Lessons
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Finland (1970s): School-based reforms reduced cardiovascular deaths.
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Japan: Compulsory health education improved hygiene & life expectancy.
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Lancet Digital Health findings: Digital tools improved maternal & child health in LMICs.
Role of Stakeholders
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Government/Policymakers:
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Embed health education in school curricula.
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Invest in UHC & PHCs.
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Parents/Communities:
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Monitor school curriculum.
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Advocate inclusion of physical, mental, social health topics.
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Civil Society & Global Partners:
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Support innovation, digital health adoption, and awareness campaigns.
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Significance
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SDG Gap Reality: Only 17% of global SDG targets on track for 2030.
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India’s improved SDG ranking must not obscure health challenges.
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Stronger healthcare + school-based health education → foundation for Viksit Bharat 2047.
