BENGALURU: Our government spending on health is a meager 1 per cent in India. World average is around 6 per cent with some developed counties like the US spending up to 18 per cent. Developed nations prioritise their citizens health as much as defence or infrastructure. Health is a state subject, and a growing concern among citizens.
If the true representative health budget proportions are to be calculated, considering an increase in budget allocation, this number has only shown a decrease from 3.07 per cent last year to a lower 2.74 per cent this year. A paradox we ought to live with, when priorities of the state consider health not a true reflection of progress and development. Despite the dip in healthcare budget for this year, it should be still considered a very well thought out and logically dispersed budget across all priority areas in health and can be considered an inclusive one.
The positive and welcome parts of budget for peoples health have been
A humble appreciation to the grassroots ASHA workers with a `1,000 honorarium
A health budget that has taken serious consideration into the outreach of health for villagers through improved access to healthcare delivery using mobile units. Health extension dispensaries planned for the benefit is a much needed innovative step that holds the potential to significantly impact and improve access to villagers.
Mortuary set up for CHC impressively highlights the respect laid by the health plan to finer details of dying with dignity for a common man.
Despite the government’s persistent efforts they continue to grapple with lack of trained manpower which includes doctors, nurses, paramedics; this coupled with inability to catch up with latest advances in medical equipment, technology and connectivity undermines the government’s efforts to build a comprehensive healthcare delivery systems.
Our Chief Minister (cum Finance Minsiter ) needs to take a serious look at the current health scenario and increase health care spending of the state. What is the use of having tall buildings and vehicles with sick people in them? It is the CM who needs to strengthen the health minister’s hands financially to make progress. The state needs to increase its spending to improve infrastructure and trained manpower. We need to acknowledge that quality comes at a cost. As Lee Kaun Yew suggested, we should attempt to build a well and fair society not a welfare society.
Dr Vishal Rao
Consultant Oncologist - Head & Neck Surgeon, Oncology, HCG Centre