Bihar Health Workers Rally Against Termination of Vital SM-Net Program
In a significant development, more than 300 dedicated health workers in Bihar have formally appealed to the Union Health Minister to reconsider the decision to terminate the Social Mobilization Network (SM-Net) program in the state. They argue that this initiative has been instrumental in bolstering public health services across Bihar, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
A Crucial Public Health Infrastructure at Risk
The SM-Net project, a collaborative effort between the Bihar State Health Department and UNICEF, has played a pivotal role in advancing numerous critical health campaigns. Its contributions include strengthening immunization drives, enhancing maternal health programs, supporting Covid-19 vaccination efforts, aiding in flood relief operations, and facilitating the nationwide Measles-Rubella (MR) campaign. The potential shutdown of this network raises serious concerns about the continuity and effectiveness of these essential services.
UNICEF's Proposed Transition and Funding History
The alarm among health workers was triggered by a letter from the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF, Bihar, to the State Health Society. The letter proposed transitioning the management of SM-Net away from UNICEF upon the expiration of the current Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which is set for March 31, 2026. The MoU, signed for the period from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2026, governs the partnership.
The UNICEF official cited global shifts in the development sector as creating challenges for the organization to continue managing SM-Net. This communication was sent in October of the previous year, setting the stage for the current controversy.
Established in 2006, SM-Net has been under UNICEF management since its inception. Following a joint meeting in New Delhi in November 2015, involving the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Bihar Health Department, and UNICEF New Delhi, the National Health Mission (NHM) began co-funding the program through the State Programme Implementation Plan (PIP). This financial support gradually increased, reaching full 100% funding by the financial year 2021-22. Since that period, and continuing through the current financial year 2025-26, SM-Net has been entirely funded by NHM via the state PIP, though managed by UNICEF.
Appeal to the Union Health Minister
SM-Net consultant Praduman Kumar, in a letter addressed to the Union Health Minister, expressed deep concern over the decision to shut down the program. "It is humbly requested that the decision to shut down the SM-Net program—jointly operated through the collaboration of UNICEF and the government—from April 1, 2026, appears extremely concerning and contrary to public interest," he stated. Copies of this letter were also sent to senior government officials.
Kumar emphasized that the program has been highly effective in strengthening public health services and promoting rural health awareness in Bihar. He highlighted the human cost, noting that 368 trained and experienced workers, many with nearly two decades of service in rural health, face sudden unemployment. "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 added.
Expert Warnings and Grassroots Impact
Health experts have consistently pointed to SM-Net's key role in improving maternal and child health indicators in Bihar. The network strengthens grassroots outreach and ensures the last-mile delivery of health services in remote rural areas, a function that could be severely compromised if the program ends.
Pramod Kumar Jha, SM Coordinator in Madhubani, underscored the broader implications: "This is not just about jobs; it is about sustaining the momentum in saving lives." The potential termination threatens to dismantle a vital infrastructure that has taken years to build, potentially reversing gains in public health outcomes across the state.
The collective appeal from health workers underscores a critical juncture for Bihar's public health system, balancing administrative transitions against the tangible benefits delivered by a long-standing community health network.
