Kerala Budget: Not a substantial allocation for health care sector
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Kerala Budget: Not a substantial allocation for health care sector

The Hindu  

The outlay of the State Budget presented by Finance Minister K. N. Balagopal in the Assembly on health care, which excludes health-related expenditure such as water and sanitation, is around ₹3,000 crore, which accounts for 1.74% of the proposed total government expenditure. The issue of poor government spending in the health sector had been plaguing the public health-conscious State like Kerala for the past several decades. Even then, it is a matter of solace that the government has not cut back on its expenditure related to health care and maintained its proposed spending in the sector. It can also be seen that the reduced government spending in the health-care sector would directly benefit the booming private sector, which breached all ethical norms in blatant advertising and canvassing business.

Health Kerala Health Care Budget Care Spending State Sector Diseases Health Care Sector  state  sector  facilities  care  health  substantial  budget  allocation  kerala  diseases  spending  commendable  chronic

History of this topic

Government spending for healthcare increased under Modi regime: Nadda
1 week, 4 days ago

Government spending for healthcare increased under Modi regime: Nadda

The Hindu  

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, replying to a debate in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday on the working of his Ministry, said that the health policy adopted by the Narendra Modi Government in 2017 had shifted the focus towards comprehensive healthcare development from a curative approach. Mr. Nadda said the All India Institute of Medical Research was now promoting research …

What did Tamil Nadu’s budget have for the health sector?
1 week, 4 days ago

What did Tamil Nadu’s budget have for the health sector?

The Hindu  

Compared to 2024-2025, Tamil Nadu allotted a little more for the health sector in its budget for 2025-2026, maintaining its focus on non-communicable diseases, particularly cancer. Cervical cancer vaccine decision welcomed A number of doctors and health activists welcomed the decision of the State government to provide HPV vaccination for girls. Malliga J.S., head of preventive oncology at Cancer Institute, …

A status check of universal health coverage in India
1 week, 6 days ago

A status check of universal health coverage in India

The Hindu  

A little over six years ago, what has been proclaimed as the world’s largest health assurance scheme, namely, the Centre’s Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, was rolled out in the face of hitherto scarce evidence of publicly funded health insurance affording significant levels of financial risk protection, particularly to the marginalised. Frequently, inpatient care insurance is linked to …

Karnataka health sector likely to get bigger slice of budget pie this year
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Karnataka health sector likely to get bigger slice of budget pie this year

New Indian Express  

BENGALURU: Health, a key sector in the state budget, received 4 per cent of the total allocation in both 2023 and 2024. However, this time, the allocation is likely to increase, with expectations of higher funding for healthcare infrastructure, medical services and public health programmes. This year, the health department began setting up critical care hubs in every district, while …

Praja Arogya Vedika slams Andhra Pradesh budget over inadequate health funding
4 weeks ago

Praja Arogya Vedika slams Andhra Pradesh budget over inadequate health funding

New Indian Express  

VISAKHAPATNAM: Praja Arogya Vedika has criticised the State Budget for 2025-26, citing inadequate funding for the healthcare sector. The organisation expressed concern that the allocation of Rs 19,264.63 crore to the Medical, Health, and Family Welfare Department falls significantly short of both World Health Organisation guidelines and the government’s own commitments. With AP’s GSDP estimated at Rs 16,41,000 crore for …

x-Health Secretary Warns Against Healthcare Privatisation
Trending News
1 month, 1 week ago

x-Health Secretary Warns Against Healthcare Privatisation

Deccan Chronicle  

Dr K. Sujatha Rao, former union health secretary, stressed the need to recognise health as a fundamental right, warning against the government's declining role in public healthcare. Speaking at a seminar in Tirupati on Sunday, she criticised increasing private sector control, leaving the poor without access to affordable treatment.She highlighted that while India's health policy discussions began in 1948, subsequent …

Ex-Health Secretary Warns Against Healthcare Privatisation
Trending News
1 month, 1 week ago

Ex-Health Secretary Warns Against Healthcare Privatisation

Deccan Chronicle  

Dr K. Sujatha Rao, former union health secretary, stressed the need to recognise health as a fundamental right, warning against the government's declining role in public healthcare. Speaking at a seminar in Tirupati on Sunday, she criticised increasing private sector control, leaving the poor without access to affordable treatment.She highlighted that while India's health policy discussions began in 1948, subsequent …

Adequate allocations will be made to Medical and Health department in budget, says Bhatti
1 month, 1 week ago

Adequate allocations will be made to Medical and Health department in budget, says Bhatti

The Hindu  

The State government has announced its resolve to provide adequate allocation to Medical and Health department in the budget for the year 2025-26. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka and Health Minister C. Damodar Rajanarsimha said the government has decided to provide sufficient funds to the Health department and Rajiv Aarogyasri health insurance scheme as a majority of the poor …

Reopening fiscal wounds
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Reopening fiscal wounds

The Hindu  

The Union Budget sparked anger in Kerala over the Centre’s “continued neglect” of the State on the fiscal front. Apart from demanding again a ₹24,000 crore special economic package for overcoming financial distress, the Kerala government also pleaded for a ₹2,000 crore package for relocating the survivors of the landslides that occurred in July 2024 in Wayanad, and for ₹5,000 …

CM Mohan Charan Majhi highlights need for development of healthcare in backward regions
1 month, 3 weeks ago

CM Mohan Charan Majhi highlights need for development of healthcare in backward regions

New Indian Express  

KEONJHAR: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday said a concerted effort is needed for development of healthcare in the backward regions of Odisha. Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 74th annual conference of Indian Medical Association, Odisha branch, the chief minister said health has been given considerable importance in the state budget. Majhi further said of the Rs …

Kerala Budget earmarks funds for health infra sans human resource
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Kerala Budget earmarks funds for health infra sans human resource

The Hindu  

Health-care workers say more infra does not translate to better health care unless the govt creates adequate posts. The last time the issue received any attention was in 2017 when Thomas Isaac announced creation of 8,071 posts The Budget 2025-26, presented by the Finance Minister in the Assembly on Friday, allocated more funds to the health sector for setting up …

Kerala budget increases social sector funding, but no hike in pensions
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Kerala budget increases social sector funding, but no hike in pensions

New Indian Express  

There has been a serious effort by the finance minister to sustain financial inputs in the social sector despite financial constraints. But the gender budget analysis presented shows total allocation for women and girls under all government departments together showed a rise of just 4%. Another highlight is the declaration that the pending social security pension payments will be paid …

Kerala budget prioritises cancer care, stroke units in health sector allocations
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Kerala budget prioritises cancer care, stroke units in health sector allocations

New Indian Express  

KOCHI: The state budget for 2025-26 has proposed allocations for the development of health infrastructure, with cancer care getting priority. A total amount of `2,915.49 crore has been set aside for the healthcare sector this time, with allocations for medical education, Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi and the AYUSH Mission. “It is good that the state government has set aside funds …

Kerala opts for huge WB loan for initiative to improve health system
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Kerala opts for huge WB loan for initiative to improve health system

The Hindu  

The State Cabinet has approved the implementation of the Kerala Health System Improvement Programme under the Health department by taking a loan to the tune of ₹2,424.28 crore from the World Bank. The programme aims at building a resilient health system capable of tackling all emerging health issues while addressing the evolving demographic and epidemiological problems in the State. Goals …

Making health system push economic growth: a case of missed opportunity
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Making health system push economic growth: a case of missed opportunity

The Hindu  

To make our economy grow, we need to push private consumption. The key department within the Health ministry, the Department of Health and Family Welfare, which runs most of the critical public health programmes, saw a meagre 11% increase in its annual Budget Estimates from last fiscal year’s Revised Estimates. Within health, the focus remains on the national level insurance …

BJP hails Union Budget 2025-26 as ‘Developed India’ Budget
1 month, 4 weeks ago

BJP hails Union Budget 2025-26 as ‘Developed India’ Budget

Deccan Chronicle  

Vijayawada:AP BJP president and Rajahmundry MP Daggubati Purandeswari praised the Union Budget 2025-26, calling it a people-centric budget that will drive economic growth and benefit all sectors, including agriculture, MSMEs, women, and youth. Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav welcomed the 12.9% budget increase for healthcare and lauded key initiatives like telemedicine, digital diagnostics, AI-based services, and broadband expansion in primary …

Economic Survey 2025: AB-PMJAY reduced out-of-pocket-expenditure from 62.6% to 39.4%
1 month, 4 weeks ago

Economic Survey 2025: AB-PMJAY reduced out-of-pocket-expenditure from 62.6% to 39.4%

The Hindu  

The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, India’s health assurance scheme, providing financial protection for secondary and tertiary healthcare, has contributed to significant reductions in out-of-pocket expenditure through an increase in social security and primary health expenditure, with over ₹1.25 lakh crore in savings recorded, said the Economic Survey 2024-25, tabled in Parliament on Friday, January 31, 2025, by …

Health Matters newsletter: On the cusp of a demographic transition
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Health Matters newsletter: On the cusp of a demographic transition

The Hindu  

It’s true that we haven’t really prepared for demographic transition.s As the country moves ahead and progresses in health care, besides simultaneously working on stabilising fertility at replacement level, there are clear signs of a demographic transition in some parts of the country. Kerala’s maternal mortality ratio, currently the lowest in the country at 19 per one lakh live births, …

Budget 2025: Healthcare Experts Seek Special Focus On Innovation And Accessibility
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Budget 2025: Healthcare Experts Seek Special Focus On Innovation And Accessibility

ABP News  

The healthcare system is one of the most crucial aspects of every country and every government puts a special focus on it. More Focus On Mental Health Manun Thakur, Founder and CEO of Veda Rehabilitation and Wellness, said, “According to a recent report by Deloitte India, “Poor mental health in employees is causing Indian companies a loss of over $14 …

Doctors urge govt. to allocate more funds to health sector
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Doctors urge govt. to allocate more funds to health sector

The Hindu  

Medical professionals on Thursday urged the government to urgently strengthen primary health centres, community health centres and district health centres in the State. Health Budget-2025’, organised by Praja Aarogya Vedika at MBVK Bhavan in Vijayawada, doctors discussed the importance of raising the allocation for the health sector in the upcoming Budget. Some of their demands include attention to preventive healthcare; …

A vision for healthcare in India
2 months, 3 weeks ago

A vision for healthcare in India

The Hindu  

Health development is an integral part of social development. Universal health coverage is a vital consideration in an impoverished country such as India and expanding the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to include a broader population base is without doubt a crucial initiative. Given that it’s the digital era, implementing the National Digital Health Mission to create digital health …

India’s Public Health Crisis: The Price of Privatisation
3 months ago

India’s Public Health Crisis: The Price of Privatisation

The Hindu  

Published : Dec 25, 2024 12:00 IST - 9 MINS READ As a nation and as a population, India shares with its South and South-East Asian neighbours the legacy of a heavy public health burden shaped by a common historical past. A recent NITI Aayog report reveals that the average monthly per capita health expenditure remains at about 13 per …

The challenge of universal health coverage
3 months, 1 week ago

The challenge of universal health coverage

The Hindu  

The ongoing national conversation on what India needs to do for universal health coverage often misses the complexity of multiple health systems and the unique challenges they bring. Not the solution Government health expenditure in West Bengal, which was ₹1,346 per capita in 2019-20, is only about 61% of the estimated ₹2,205 required to offer UHC. The story is no …

Hospital beds, specialists: Why health takes centre stage in Maharashtra's poll promises
4 months, 1 week ago

Hospital beds, specialists: Why health takes centre stage in Maharashtra's poll promises

India Today  

Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024 has a flood of poll promises in the field of healthcare. The National Profile 2023 shows that Maharashtra has the lowest number of government hospitals in terms of per capita population and the number of beds for every lakh population in the state is almost equal to that in Bihar. While Himachal Pradesh has 222 beds …

India Needs to Spend More on Healthcare Says Ex-RBI Gov
4 months, 2 weeks ago

India Needs to Spend More on Healthcare Says Ex-RBI Gov

Deccan Chronicle  

Mumbai: India needs to urgently increase its spending on healthcare and education for accelerating the country’s progress, former Reserve Bank of India governor C Rangarajan said on Friday. He said that India’s healthcare expenditure is currently less than 2 per cent of its GDP, and the government must urgently increase it. Speaking at the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, Rangarajan …

Kerala spends highest out-of-pocket expenditure on health in India
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Kerala spends highest out-of-pocket expenditure on health in India

New Indian Express  

KOCHI: Increased incidence of lifestyle diseases and high cost of diagnostic tests, coupled with the disappearance of not-for-profit hospitals and people’s reluctance to opt for government medical institutions have pushed Kerala’s out-of-pocket expenses in healthcare to the highest among states, a recent survey has revealed. As per the Comprehensive Annual Modular Survey 2022-23 by the National Sample Survey Office under …

A ‘corrective’ budget’ to repair AP: Health Minister Yadav
4 months, 2 weeks ago

A ‘corrective’ budget’ to repair AP: Health Minister Yadav

Deccan Chronicle  

Vijayawada: AP’s annual budget for the 2024-25 financial year is a “corrective budget” aimed at repairing the economy “destroyed due to the YSRC’s misgovernance,” Health Minister Satya Kumar has said. The Rs 2.94 lakh crore annual budget reflected the aspirations of the people, he said on Monday.Speaking to the media, Yadav noted that the government made a total allocation of …

Make prevention the focus of health policy
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Make prevention the focus of health policy

Hindustan Times  

The government’s move to expand the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to cover those above 70 years of age recognises a key need of the health care architecture in India — ensuring access to health care for the elderly by making it affordable for them to That said, there will be pressures on the fiscal side. As the …

Evolution of the health care policy framework in India
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Evolution of the health care policy framework in India

Hindustan Times  

This paper traces the history of the evolution of India’s health care policy framework, focusing on its major objectives, challenges faced, and outcomes emerged. The key themes prevalent across most of these policies and specific initiatives included: increasing public health spending and reducing out-of-pocket or catastrophic health spending; addressing rural-urban inequalities in healthcare; developing primary health care; and achieving universal …

The burden of health care on India’s poorest
7 months, 2 weeks ago

The burden of health care on India’s poorest

Hindustan Times  

In recent years, the Indian government has made significant strides in reducing the burden of health expenditure on the common citizen. A particular focus of the government has been to reduce the burden of severe economic shocks due to “catastrophic” health care expenditure such as hospitalisation. In order to understand the character of catastrophic health expenditure, Artha Global’s Centre for …

Health sector sees reduced allocation
8 months ago

Health sector sees reduced allocation

Deccan Chronicle  

Hyderabad: The government's health, medical and family welfare allocation was reduced to Rs 11,468 crore in Thursday’s state Budget, reflecting a decrease of Rs 910 crore from the Rs 12,161 crore allocated in 2023-24. However, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka pointed out that according to the revised estimates, the previous BRS government had spent only Rs …

A Budget that places health on the margins
8 months ago

A Budget that places health on the margins

The Hindu  

With the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic behind us, the Union Budget expectedly shifted focus to levers of economic growth such as infrastructure and employment. It was also hoped that the recognition of population health as a vital investment for accelerating as well as protecting economic growth would see continued investment in strengthening our health systems. In the Interim Budget, …

Kerala Assembly: Opposition stages walkout over worrying state of public health
8 months, 4 weeks ago

Kerala Assembly: Opposition stages walkout over worrying state of public health

The Hindu  

The United Democratic Front Opposition staged a walkout in the Kerala Legislative Assembly on July 2 accusing the government of “total failure” in making public health a priority and taking no coordinated action on the ground to ensure that preventive and control measures against infectious diseases were on course to prevent a surge in diseases. Satheesan, who led the walkout, …

Rise in public health spending due to States, not Centre
10 months, 1 week ago

Rise in public health spending due to States, not Centre

The Hindu  

Public spending on health in India has historically remained low. Note: Union government spending includes spending by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Min of AYUSH Furthermore, a significant part of the increase in health investment as a percentage of GDP during the pandemic needs to be attributed to the negative and low growth of GDP, while absolute increase …

Union Budget: Healthcare challenges and how the government can navigate them
1 year, 2 months ago

Union Budget: Healthcare challenges and how the government can navigate them

Firstpost  

The healthcare industry has always been the core of any flourishing civilisation. Modern medical challenges Public expenditure on healthcare contributes to only 1.3 per cent of GDP, resulting in compromised healthcare standards. As per some projections, AI utilisation in healthcare resource optimisation could contribute $25 billion to India’s GDP by 2025. Role of government in shaping healthcare The government must …

Union Budget: Stimulating pharma and healthcare for Amrit Kaal
1 year, 2 months ago

Union Budget: Stimulating pharma and healthcare for Amrit Kaal

Firstpost  

The Union Budget 2023-24, the first budget of Amrit Kaal, set out a vision and blueprint for an empowered and inclusive economy to lay building blocks for the coming 25 years in the journey to India@100 in 2047. Addressing tax issues about business expenditure Typically, pharmaceutical and healthcare companies incur various marketing and related costs which involve medical practitioners. Input …

State’s budgetary allocation for public health on the decline in last three years
1 year, 5 months ago

State’s budgetary allocation for public health on the decline in last three years

Hindustan Times  

While chief minister Eknath Shinde is talking about doubling the expenditure on public health, an analysis of the last three budgets has revealed that the allocation has been on a downward spiral - from 5.09% in 2021-22 to 4.01% in the current financial year. As per a presentation made at the meeting, the government spending on health infrastructure has gone …

15% of people below 45 years fail to get health insurance because of THIS
1 year, 7 months ago

15% of people below 45 years fail to get health insurance because of THIS

Live Mint  

There has been a constant rise in the number of lifestyle diseases among youngsters and adults. The prevalence of these diseases leaves young adults bereft of opportunities to take health insurance. On average, 15% of people aged below 45 years fail to get any health insurance policy because of pre-existing diseases like heart disorders, uncontrolled diabetes, chronic liver and lung …

Out-of-pocket health expenditure in India: Inter-state variations
1 year, 7 months ago

Out-of-pocket health expenditure in India: Inter-state variations

Hindustan Times  

Adequate public investment in health, by ensuring better affordability and availability of health care, is crucial for sustaining a resilient public health system. Chart 2 In five states, high public health spending is related to low OOPE, while in four states, low public health spending is related to high OOPE. In eight states, low public health spending is related to …

Rapid survey highlights lack of access to free medicines in Karnataka government hospitals
1 year, 7 months ago

Rapid survey highlights lack of access to free medicines in Karnataka government hospitals

The Hindu  

A rapid survey by Sarvatrika Arogya Andolana Karnataka, has found that patients visiting government hospitals are spending an average ₹433 per visit out-of-pocket to buy medicines. The survey done through oral enquiry with 600 patients in pharmacies outside government hospitals in 12 districts, found that overall these patients had spent ₹2,58,809 on buying medicines during the survey period from July …

Health Matters | Patients and patents — the double-edged sword
1 year, 8 months ago

Health Matters | Patients and patents — the double-edged sword

The Hindu  

The most raucous discussions on health care are often centred around costs — costs of treatment, drugs, and hospitalisation being so exorbitant that paying for healthcare impoverishes even one initially able to pay for treatment. Bindu Shajan Perappadan reported that, as Johnson & Johnson’s 20-year primary patent on bedaquiline expired in a large number of countries, including India, on July …

Centre mandated spending on health has positive impact: study
1 year, 8 months ago

Centre mandated spending on health has positive impact: study

The Hindu  

Measures taken by the National Health Mission have given a positive fillip to the health sector across the country in the past 15 years, a study published in the Public Health For All journal has concluded. The States received funding only if they complied with the Central Government’s schemes, and States were nudged to enhance investment in primary health care. …

Health Matters | Here, for the healthcare highs and lows
1 year, 8 months ago

Health Matters | Here, for the healthcare highs and lows

The Hindu  

If we are lucky, it is a mixed bag at the health desk. Assaulted by stories of resurgence of diseases, or emergence of newer pathogen, and buffeted by questions of access to quality health care, we are irrevocably revived by some good news, some development, a reduction in the number of cases, a government scheme that will go an extra …

More than 90 million Indians spend ‘catastrophic’ 10-25% of household expenses on healthcare
1 year, 8 months ago

More than 90 million Indians spend ‘catastrophic’ 10-25% of household expenses on healthcare

Hindustan Times  

Healthcare expenditure of around 90 million Indians has crossed the ‘catastrophic’ levels – a state of financial condition where health spending exceeds 10% threshold of household consumption, posing a threat to maintain the subsistence needs. According to the Sustainable Development Goals National Indicator Framework Progress Report 2023, a total of 31 million people living in families spend more that a …

What you can do to reduce your out-of-pocket-expenditure on healthcare
1 year, 10 months ago

What you can do to reduce your out-of-pocket-expenditure on healthcare

Live Mint  

The young advertising executive was on his way home from office when he felt a sharp pain in his abdomen. First, the hospital where he was admitted said that he had to immediately pay ₹50,000 towards admission—It informed him that he was not eligible for cashless admission since the hospital was not part of the insurer’s network. While people with …

₹2,828.33 crore for public health in Kerala Budget
2 years, 1 month ago

₹2,828.33 crore for public health in Kerala Budget

The Hindu  

The State Budget 2023-24 speaks about transforming Kerala into global healthcare capital, providing better healthcare services, focussing on health tourism and expanding and modernising existing facilities. “Navakerala Karma Padhati-2”, which has clubbed Rebuild Kerala Initiative and four Missions — Haritha Keralam, Aardram, LIFE and Vidya Kiranam — together gets an outlay of ₹10 crores in the Budget, while a chunk …

Bright spots of health Budget
2 years, 1 month ago

Bright spots of health Budget

Deccan Chronicle  

A key determinant of good health emanates from the food we consume. Hence in that direction, the Atmanirbhar Clean Plant Programme to improve the availability of disease-free, quality planting material for high-value horticultural crops, and the emphasis on millets will work to enhance overall quality standards and also contribute to lowering the lifestyle diseases burden. Establishing 157 new nursing colleges …

Budget 2023: Experts Hope For Increased Thrust On Medical Education, Drug Research, AYUSH, Child And Maternal Health Initiatives
2 years, 1 month ago

Budget 2023: Experts Hope For Increased Thrust On Medical Education, Drug Research, AYUSH, Child And Maternal Health Initiatives

ABP News  

Budget 2023: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to announce India’s budget for the year 2023 on Wednesday, February 1. Experts have called for heavy investment in medical colleges, healthcare infrastructure, and disease awareness initiatives, and expect the budget to focus on drug research, child and maternal health initiatives, traditional medical practices, infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance, among others. …

Economic Survey 2022-23 | Out-of-pocket health spending still high, despite hike in government expenditure
2 years, 1 month ago

Economic Survey 2022-23 | Out-of-pocket health spending still high, despite hike in government expenditure

The Hindu  

Almost half of all health spending in India is still paid by patients themselves directly at the point of treatment, although this has dropped as the government’s share of spending on health went up significantly after 2013-14, according to the Economic Survey 2022-23. The share of government health expenditure in total health expenditure was just 28.6% in the financial year …

Discover Related