Approved by the Union Cabinet in 2013 Rs 662.23 crore was released to 29 states/UTs on the basis of appraisal of the programme implementation plan of the states/UTs Announced during the UPA regime, the National Urban Health Mission NUHM) a health scheme for urban poor is all set to fully kick start this month. The NUHM proposes to benefit urban poor of seven metros and 772 cities with a population of more than 50,000. Approved by the Union Cabinet in 2013, as a sub mission under an overarching National Health Mission (NHM) for providing equitable and quality primary health care services to the urban population, Rs 662.23 crore was released to 29 states/UTs on the basis of appraisal of the programme implementation plan of the states/UTs. However, according to officials nothing much has been achieved on the scheme so far. Earlier the Planning Commission had given some suggestions which we have incorporated. The government has planned to introduce the welfare scheme for a period of five years for which it will shell out Rs 17,000 crores. Under the scheme 1936 existing facilities such as urban family welfare centres, urban health posts and dispensaries as urban primary health centres approved for renovation/upgradation. The NUHM has been designed on the lines of National Ruraul Health Mission (NRHM). The scheme aims at providing providing accessible, affordable healthcare facilities, especially to about 28 crore poor and homeless India’s urban population. The urban mission is expected to benefit the 6.9 crore slum population. Over 285 million urban people in India account for 28% of the country’s total population. The programme had also planned to provide an insurance cover of Rs 40,000-50,000 for basic medical care and outpatient facilities in both private and government hospitals for the urban poor, whose premium would be paid by the government. NUHM had also planned to set aside at least 15% of its budget for street children and the homeless.