The National Health Policy 2017 (NHP 2017) is a policy document formulated by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, to guide the nation's health system. Adopted in 2017, it builds upon the progress of the previous NHP 2002 and was necessitated by changing socio-economic and epidemiological challenges. Its overarching goal is the attainment of the highest possible level of health and well-being for all at all ages, through a preventive and promotive healthcare orientation.
The policy's key mechanism is centered on increasing public health expenditure and prioritizing primary care. It commits to progressively raising public health spending to 2.5% of the GDP by 2025. Furthermore, it advocates allocating two-thirds or more of resources to primary care. This is to be achieved by providing a larger package of assured comprehensive primary healthcare through Health and Wellness Centres. The policy also aims to ensure the availability of two beds per 1,000 population. A short-term strategy involves the strategic purchase of secondary and tertiary care services, with the Government acting as a single payer.
The NHP 2017 is closely connected to the National Health Mission (NHM), which works to achieve the policy's goals and encompasses the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM). Its vision is aligned with advancing towards Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) for Universal Health Coverage. The policy also promotes the mainstreaming of AYUSH systems. As of a July 2022 Lok Sabha question, the policy remains the current framework, with its core principles of equity, affordability, and universality still guiding government initiatives.