The National Health Policy (NHP) 2017 is a shining example of India’s dedication to provide everyone with access to high-quality, reasonably priced healthcare. Data from the National Health Accounts (NHA), including the provisional forecasts for 2020–21 and 2021–22, show that the country has increased public spending on health over time.
The Government Health Expenditure (GHE) increased by 63% between 2014–15 and 2021–22, a notable increase. The percentage of GHE to GDP increased from 1.13 percent in 2014–15 to 1.84 percent in 2021–22, reflecting this spike. GHE has almost tripled in per capita terms over the same period, going from Rs 1,108 to Rs 3,156, demonstrating a strong commitment to improving healthcare affordability and accessibility for all individuals.
There has also been a notable shift in health spending toward social security, with that portion rising from 5.7% in 2014–15 to 9.3% in 2019–20 of overall health spending. This suggests a deliberate focus on minimizing the financial burden of Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) on individuals and families and guaranteeing financial security for healthcare needs.
The steady decrease in OOPE as a percentage of overall health spending, from 62.6% to 39.4% between 2014–15 and 2021–22, is a notable accomplishment. People have experienced significant relief from this drop, which also shows how resilient the health system is against adversities like the Covid-19 pandemic.
The decline in OOPE has been caused by a number of factors. The introduction of programs like as AB-PMJAY has guaranteed recipients’ access to necessary treatments without requiring them to take on debt or sell assets. Averting OOPE has been made possible by increased use of government healthcare facilities, improved services including free ambulance services, and targeted initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme.
In addition, people have saved a significant amount of money because to programmes that offer free medications, examinations, and treatments at government institutions like Jan Aushadhi Kendras and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs). The public’s healthcare costs have been considerably reduced by the price control of necessary medical supplies.
According to economic surveys, government spending on health is on the rise, with the percentage of GDP allotted to health reaching 2.2% in FY 2021–2022. This increased investment goes beyond healthcare services to include essential socioeconomic determinants of health such as access to clean water and proper sanitation.
By expanding access to clean drinking water and sanitary amenities throughout rural India, the Jal Jeevan Mission and the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) Grameen have had a substantial positive impact on public health. World Health Organization (WHO) publications emphasize how important these measures have been in reducing illnesses and improving general well-being.
There has been a transition in India’s health system towards inclusivity and progress, as seen by the recent trends in public health expenditure and the decreasing burden of OOPE. The government’s dedication to bolstering the healthcare ecosystem is demonstrated by its investments in critical care facilities, medical colleges, AIIMSs, and health infrastructure under a number of programmes.To sum up, India’s healthcare system is undergoing a revolutionary transition in order to attain Universal Health Coverage (UHC). To ensure that everyone has access to inexpensive healthcare, it is imperative that government funding for health be increased, OOPE be decreased, and socioeconomic determinants of health be addressed. The country is led toward a healthier and more resilient future by the NHP 2017, which acts as a road map for these revolutionary reforms.
SOURCE:
THE INDIAN EXPRESS
