Evaluating the Socio-Economic Impact of Maharashtra Government Health Schemes Evidence from Ahilyanagar District

Effective healthcare delivery is central to equitable socio-economic development. This study evaluates the impact of government health schemes in Ahilyanagar district (formerly Ahmednagar), Maharashtra, using official secondary data to assess public health outcomes and resource utilization. A descriptive and analytical approach was applied to secondary data from the District Socio-Economic Review 2024 - Ahilyanagar, covering the fiscal year 2023-24. Key indicators assessed include health infrastructure, scheme-wise expenditure, maternal and child health, immunization, and service outreach. The district reported ₹196 crore in total health-related expenditure, including ₹90.2 crore under the National Health Mission (NHM) and ₹58.4 crore for the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). Public health infrastructure includes 28 government hospitals, 107 Primary Health Centers, and 3,595 Anganwadi centers. Institutional delivery rates rose to 91%, immunization coverage reached 96%, and antenatal care coverage was recorded at 97%. Despite these improvements, challenges persist in rural access, personnel deployment, and utilization of services in remote areas. Maharashtra’s public health schemes have contributed to measurable gains in service access and maternal-child health outcomes in Ahilyanagar. However, addressing regional disparities and improving scheme implementation efficiency remain essential for sustainable and inclusive healthcare development.