Gist of Editorials: We Need A Leap In Healthcare Spending| GS – II

Relevance : GS Paper II 

[1100 words summarized to 150]


Issues with health care in India

  • India’s health expenditure is still under 1.5%.
  • Interim Budget does not adequately respond to the health sector.
  • Per capita expenditure on health is very low.
  • Allocation for healthcare is merely 2.2% of the Budget.
  • Prevention of chronic kidney disease is not appropriately addressed.
  • Over 70% of cancers are diagnosed in stages III or IV.

Way forward

  • Increase funding for health by 20-25% every year.
  • Ayushman Bharat will help reduce out-of-pocket expenditure.
  • Integrating modern medicine with traditional Indian medicine.
  • Focus on both communicable and non-communicable diseases.
  • Long-term commitment gives rich return. For instance, AIIMS.
  • Adding tax on tobacco and alcohol to fund non-communicable disease prevention.
  • The health sector must be made a priority area, like defence.
  • Universal healthcare must be matched with a quantum leap in funding.

Conclusion

Only if we invest more for the long-term health of the nation will there be a similar rise in GDP.


 

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