The budgeted outlays of Government of India for health and family welfare sector have increased from Rs 10733.56 crores in 2005-06 to Rs 29653 crores in 2015-16.
Informing this in the Lok Sabha on March 13, the Health Minister, J P Nadda, as per World Health Statistics 2014 published by World Health Organization, ‘Out of Pocket’ expenditure accounts for 60% of total expenditure on health in India in 2011. Public expenditure on health as percentage of total expenditure on health in India in 2011, stands at 30.5%.
As per the 12th Five Year Plan document, total public funding by the Centre and States, plan and non-plan, on core health is envisaged to increase to 1.87% of GDP by the end of the Twelfth Plan. Viewed in the perspective of the broader health sector, the total Government expenditure as a proportion of GDP is envisaged to increase to 2.5% by the end of the Twelfth Plan.
The minister further said that the government has launched the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in April 2005 to provide financial support to States/UTs to strengthen their health systems particularly to cater to the healthcare needs of rural areas, which inter-alia include support for :
• Establishment/up-gradation/renovation of health infrastructure;
• engagement of nurses, doctors and specialists on contract basis to meet deficit in human resources in health sector;
• making available improved health facilities including free essential medicines in all public health facilities;
• selection and training of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA);
• for Mobile Medical Units and Emergency Referral Transport Services, and
• for initiatives like Janani-Shishu Suraksha Karyakram(JSSK), Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) and Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK).