**Executive Summary**
The National Summit on “Innovation and Inclusivity,” concluded on May 1, 2026, focused on the 17th Common Review Mission (CRM) findings to drive evidence-based health reforms under the National Health Mission (NHM). The summit facilitated the dissemination of scalable best practices across States and Union Territories, emphasizing the alignment of current interventions with 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key action items include scaling up regional innovations, optimizing human resources, and ensuring inclusive digital health adoption.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**CRM Findings and Progress**
* Significant progress was noted in the operationalization of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and the expansion of comprehensive primary healthcare.
* Improvements were observed in maternal and child health services, non-communicable disease (NCD) screening, and the adoption of teleconsultation platforms.
* The CRM provided independent assessments of health system performance and governance across 17 States and Union Territories.
**Service Delivery and Operational Improvements**
* Deliberations emphasized the need to optimize human resource deployment and ensure the consistent availability of essential drugs and diagnostics.
* Strengthening biomedical waste management systems was identified as a critical area for safe and compliant healthcare practices.
* Focus was placed on enhancing healthcare outreach in remote and underserved regions to ensure equitable access.
**Digital Health and Data Governance**
* The summit underscored leveraging digital platforms for real-time monitoring and evidence-based decision-making.
* A priority was set on improving data quality and strengthening referral systems through supportive supervision.
* Digitalization efforts must remain inclusive, ensuring that vulnerable beneficiaries are not inconvenienced by technological shifts.
**State-Level Best Practices**
* Twelve specific state models were highlighted for replication, including Kerala’s "One Health" approach to antimicrobial resistance and Gujarat’s TB death reduction audit mechanism.
* Other notable initiatives include Tamil Nadu’s student mental health response, Jammu & Kashmir’s supply chain management, and Chhattisgarh’s malaria control model.
**Impact Analysis**
**States and Union Territories**
**Impact**
States are recognized for local innovations but face pressure to align their programmatic strategies with national priorities and long-term 2030 goals.
**Action Required**
States must effectively operationalize initiatives launched during the summit, foster inter-state knowledge sharing, and scale up context-specific best practices.
**Frontline Health Workers**
**Impact**
There is an increased focus on the role of frontline workers in navigating the transition to digital health systems.
**Action Required**
Workers must undergo continuous sensitization and capacity building to ensure inclusive, user-friendly service delivery for all beneficiaries.
**National Health Mission (NHM) & CRM Teams**
**Impact**
These entities serve as the backbone for accountability and informed policy action through independent assessments.
**Action Required**
CRM teams are required to continue comprehensive assessments, while the NHM must orient efforts toward medium- and long-term health system goals.
**Vulnerable Beneficiaries**
**Impact**
Increased digitalization of services poses a potential risk of exclusion or inconvenience if not managed properly.
**Action Required**
Beneficiaries are expected to benefit from improved access to primary care and teleconsultation, provided that systems are designed for high inclusivity.
Key Entities Referenced
National Health Mission (NHM): The primary national policy framework for health system reforms, maternal and child health, and primary healthcare strengthening in India.
Common Review Mission (CRM): A cornerstone mechanism under the NHM for independent, evidence-based assessment of health system performance, service delivery, and governance.
Ayushman Arogya Mandirs: A flagship initiative aimed at the operationalization and expansion of comprehensive primary healthcare and digital health adoption.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): International targets for 2030 used to align national health interventions and orient long-term outcome-oriented planning.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
National Summit on Innovation and Inclusivity
Concludes with Emphasis on Best Practices,
New Initiatives, and Strengthened Health
Systems
Concluding Day of National Summit Focuses on 17th
Common Review Mission Findings to Strengthen Evidence-
Based Health System Reforms under NHM
CRM Highlights Progress in Ayushman Arogya Mandirs,
Primary Healthcare Expansion, and Digital Health Adoption
Deliberations Emphasize Optimized Human Resources,
Improved Availability of Drugs & Diagnostics, and Enhanced
Outreach in Underserved Areas
Posted On: 01 MAY 2026 3:39PM by PIB Delhi
The second and concluding day of the two-day National Summit on “Innovation and Inclusivity: Best
Practices Shaping India’s Health Future” witnessed in-depth technical deliberations centred on the
findings of the 17th Common Review Mission (CRM), a cornerstone mechanism for independent,
evidence-based assessment under the National Health Mission (NHM).
The first day of the Summit focused on the presentation and dissemination of best practices and innovative
interventions implemented by various States and Union Territories. These sessions provided a valuable
platform for peer learning, showcasing scalable and replicable models across key thematic areas including
primary healthcare strengthening, digital health innovations, maternal and child health, and non-
communicable disease management.In addition, a series of presentations on new and ongoing initiatives of the Ministry were conducted to
enhance awareness and facilitate better understanding among States/UTs. These sessions enabled
stakeholders to align programmatic strategies with national priorities, while also supporting effective
implementation at the field level.
The second and concluding day of the Summit featured comprehensive technical deliberations centred on
the findings of the 17th Common Review Mission (CRM) under the National Health Mission (NHM).
Structured presentations coordinated by the Ministry highlighted key observations emerging from CRM
visits from 17 States and Union Territories, providing insights into health system performance, service
delivery mechanisms, and governance practices.
The CRM findings reflected encouraging progress in several priority areas, including the
operationalization of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, expansion of comprehensive primary healthcare
services, and increased adoption of digital health solutions. Notable improvements were observed in the
delivery of maternal and child health services, screening and management of non-communicable diseases,
and the use of teleconsultation platforms to enhance access to care.The deliberations also provided an opportunity to identify areas where further strengthening could
enhance service delivery outcomes. Discussions highlighted the importance of continued efforts towards
optimizing human resource deployment, ensuring availability of essential drugs and diagnostics, and
enhancing the reach of healthcare services in remote and underserved regions.
Emphasis was also laid on improving data quality and leveraging digital platforms for real-time
monitoring and evidence-based decision-making. Strengthening referral systems, enhancing supportive
supervision, and promoting community participation were identified as key enablers for sustaining gains
and improving health outcomes.
The Ministry underscored the importance of documenting and scaling up best practices observed during
CRM visits, with a focus on adaptability and contextual relevance. States and Union Territories were
encouraged to continue adopting innovative, data-driven approaches and to strengthen intra- and inter-
state knowledge sharing.In her closing remarks, Additional Secretary & Mission Director, NHM, Smt. Aradhna Patnaik,
appreciated the significant progress made by States and Union Territories in achieving short-term
priorities under the National Health Mission, and emphasized the need to now progressively orient efforts
towards medium- and long-term health system goals.
She highlighted the importance of aligning ongoing interventions with the targets of the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by 2030, underscoring the need for sustained, outcome-
oriented planning and implementation. She further stressed that while digital health initiatives are
transforming service delivery, it is essential to ensure that no beneficiary—particularly the most
vulnerable—is inconvenienced due to digitalization. In this regard, she emphasized the need for
continuous sensitization and capacity building of frontline health workers to ensure inclusive and user-
friendly service delivery.
Drawing attention to operational challenges observed across States, she also highlighted the importance of
strengthening biomedical waste management systems as a critical area requiring focused attention to
ensure safe and compliant healthcare practices.
She further noted the significance of the key initiatives launched during the Summit, and called upon
States/UTs to effectively operationalize these interventions to maximize their impact at the ground level.
Underscoring the way forward, she emphasized the need to sustain the momentum generated through the
Summit by fostering continuous learning, strengthening cross-state collaboration, and scaling up best
practices in a context-specific and sustainable manner.
The Common Review Mission teams were also facilitated by the Additional Secretary & Mission Director,
National Health Mission, Smt. Aradhna Patnaik to carry out their assessment responsibilities in a
comprehensive and effective manner.The Summit concluded with a reaffirmation of the Government’s commitment to cooperative federalism
and continuous system strengthening, with the CRM serving as a critical instrument for fostering learning,
accountability, and informed policy action.
The deliberations on the concluding day reinforced the collective resolve to build a resilient, inclusive, and
future-ready public health system that is responsive to the evolving healthcare needs of the population.
Top Twelve Best Practices from States
Gujarat: Audit review mechanism with strengthened follow-up to reduce TB deaths.
Tamil Nadu: Integrated response to rising student mental health issues and substance abuse through
dedicated centres and helplines.
Kerala: Antibiotic-smart hospitals and antibiotic-literate communities under a One Health approach
to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Jammu & Kashmir: Strengthened supply chain management ensuring uninterrupted availability of
medicines and consumables.
Assam: Uttran initiative on maternal and child health.
Chhattisgarh: Malaria mukt Chhattisgarh and Follow up model for malaria control.
Haryana: Comprehensive non-communicable disease care.
Jharkhand: Bridging data and action – AMB T4.
Madhya Pradesh: SUMAN ICCC and district Suman Help Desk initiative.
Maharashtra: Matrusneh maternal health initiative.
Odisha: Urban geriatric care services.
Uttar Pradesh: Capacity building of NBSU/SNCU staff and family planning counsellors.
These best practices demonstrate how States are advancing national priorities while innovating locally
strengthening supply chains, addressing emerging health challenges, and building capacity for inclusive,
evidence-based care. Collectively, they represent replicable models contributing to a resilient and future-
ready health system under the vision of Viksit Bharat.
*****
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