Big Improvements in India’s Healthcare
Presented by Nirmala Sitharaman
The Ministry of Finance has announced significant progress in making healthcare more affordable and accessible to the general public. This was highlighted in the Economic Survey 2023-2024, presented by Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, in Parliament.
According to the Survey, the latest National Health Accounts (NHA) estimates for FY20 show an increase in both the share of Government Health Expenditure (GHE) in the total GDP and the share of GHE in Total Health Expenditure (THE). Over the years, the share of primary healthcare expenditure has risen from 51.3% of GHE in FY15 to 55.9% in FY20. Additionally, the share of primary and secondary care in GHE has increased from 73.2% in FY15 to 85.5% in FY20.
Conversely, the share of primary and secondary care in private health expenditure has decreased from 83.0% to 73.7%, attributed to the rising burden of tertiary diseases and greater use of government facilities for primary healthcare.
The Survey also highlights a notable increase in social security expenditure on health, growing from 5.7% in FY15 to 9.3% in FY20, alongside a reduction in out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) as a percentage of THE between FY15 and FY20.
As a result of these changes, key health indicators have improved. The Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) declined from 39 per 1,000 live births in 2013 to 28 per 1,000 live births in 2020, and the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) decreased from 167 per lakh live births in 2014 to 97 per lakh live births in 2020.
Looking ahead, the Survey recommends prioritizing healthy eating and mental health, and emphasizes the role of state and local governance in ensuring that national health programs effectively reach all communities.
Doubts Revealed
Nirmala Sitharaman -: Nirmala Sitharaman is the Finance Minister of India. She is responsible for managing the country’s finances, including presenting the Economic Survey.
Economic Survey -: The Economic Survey is a report presented by the Ministry of Finance. It reviews the economic progress of the country over the past year and suggests future policies.
Ministry of Finance -: The Ministry of Finance is a part of the Indian government. It handles the country’s money matters, like taxes, spending, and financial policies.
health expenditure -: Health expenditure refers to the amount of money the government spends on healthcare services for the people.
out-of-pocket costs -: Out-of-pocket costs are the expenses that people have to pay themselves for healthcare services, not covered by the government or insurance.
Infant Mortality Rate -: Infant Mortality Rate is the number of babies who die before their first birthday, per 1,000 live births. A lower rate means better healthcare.
Maternal Mortality Rate -: Maternal Mortality Rate is the number of mothers who die due to complications during pregnancy or childbirth, per 100,000 live births. A lower rate indicates better maternal healthcare.
mental health -: Mental health refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act.
local governance -: Local governance means the way local areas, like cities or villages, are managed by local authorities. Effective local governance helps in better implementation of health programs.