Health workers urge Centre to reconsider move to end Unicef-backed programme in Bihar

Patna: More than 300 health workers have urged the Union health minister to reconsider the decision to terminate the Social Mobilization Network (SM-Net) in Bihar, saying the programme has played a crucial role in strengthening public health services in the state.

The project, jointly run by the state health department and the Unicef, has been instrumental in advancing immunisation drives, maternal health programmes, Covid-19 vaccination campaigns, flood relief efforts and the nationwide Measles-Rubella (MR) campaign.The workers were alarmed after the chief of field office, Unicef, Bihar, in a letter to the State Health Society, proposed transitioning SM-Net from Unicef management at the expiry of the current MoU between the Bihar State Health Society and Unicef.

The MoU, signed for the period April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2026, is set to expire at the end of this term.“Due to global shifts in the development sector, Unicef is increasingly facing challenges in continuing to support the management of SM-Net,” the chief of field office, Unicef, Bihar, wrote in his letter sent in Oct last year.According to Unicef officials, SM-Net was established in 2006 and has since been managed by Unicef.

Following a joint meeting held in Delhi in Nov 2015 under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, govt of India, the Bihar health department and Unicef New Delhi, the National Health Mission (NHM) began co-funding SM-Net through the State Programme Implementation Plan (PIP). The contribution gradually increased, reaching 100% funding by the financial year 2021-22.

Since then, and continuing through the current financial year 2025-26, SM-Net has been fully funded by NHM through the state PIP.“It is humbly requested that the decision to shut down the SM-Net (Social Mobilization Network) programme — jointly operated through the collaboration of Unicef and the govt — from April 1, 2026 appears extremely concerning and contrary to public interest. This program has been highly effective in strengthening public health services and promoting rural health awareness in Bihar,” said SM-Net consultant Praduman Kumar in a letter to the Union health minister, with copies sent to senior officials in the govt.He added that 368 trained and experienced workers, many of whom have been contributing to rural health services in Bihar for nearly 20 years, will suddenly be deprived of their livelihoods.“Their efforts, dedication and years of hard work for the welfare of their families could be put at risk by this decision. This is not merely a policy decision; it is a question of the future of hundreds of families and the sustainability of Bihar's rural health network,” he said.Health experts say SM-Net has played a key role in improving maternal and child health indicators in the state by strengthening grassroots outreach and ensuring last-mile delivery of health services in rural areas.“This is not just about jobs; it is about sustaining the momentum in saving lives,” said Pramod Kumar Jha, SM coordinator, Madhubani.(With inputs from C S Jha Azad in Madhubani)