To address the healthcare needs of urban population, particularly urban poor, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, government of India has formulated National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) as a sub-mission under an over-arching National Health Mission (NHM) to be launched during the 12th Five Year Plan. For the 12th Five Year Plan (FYP) 2012-17, an amount of Rs 15,143 crore has been approved by the Planning Commission whereas the ministry proposed Rs 16,955 crore for NUHM during 12th FYP. However, for the year 2013-14 approved outlay for NUHM is Rs 1 crore only.

It may be recalled that NUHM was a listed scheme under 11th Five Year Plan with an approved outlay of Rs 4,500 crore and Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) also approved the scheme in its meeting held on September 12, 2008. However the scheme could not be launched.

The proposed NUHM aims to improve the health status of the urban population particularly slum dwellers and other vulnerable sections by facilitating equitable access to quality healthcare with the active involvement of the urban local bodies (ULBs). It proposes to cover 779 cities and town including seven metros with population of fifty thousand and above.

The proposal of National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) under an overarching National Health Mission (NHM) was discussed in the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) under the Chairmanship of the Finance Secretary and Secretary (Expenditure) on October 9, 2012. The EFC meeting recommended the proposal for approval of the cabinet with recommendation of Rs 22,507 crore during the 12th Five Year Plan with central share of Rs 16,955 crore.

According to official release, a cabinet note on NUHM was sent to cabinet secretariat on January 24, 2013 for placing the same before the cabinet for consideration and approval. Cabinet considered the proposal relating to NUHM in its meeting held on February 21, 2013. However, the agenda item was postponed.