Govt health spending more than doubles to `1.4L cr

IANS

New Delhi

India has witnessed a significant rise in public spending on primary healthcare over the last decade, with government expenditure more than doubling from ₹0.5 lakh crore in 2013-14 to ₹1.4 lakh crore in 2022-23, according to the latest National Health Accounts (NHA) estimates released on Wednesday.  

The NHA estimates provide a time-series analysis of actual health expenditure incurred by the government, private sector, and other sources. The current estimates for 2022-23 mark the 10th edition in the series that began in 2013-14.

According to the report, the steady rise in healthcare spending highlights the government's increasing focus on strengthening primary healthcare services and improving healthcare access across the country. A key component of this effort has been the operationalisation of more than 1.8 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) centres across India. 

These centres provide 12 comprehensive primary healthcare service packages covering reproductive and child healthcare, communicable and non-communicable diseases, mental health, palliative care, oral healthcare, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) services, and emergency care. The centres also offer free medicines, diagnostic services, wellness sessions, and teleconsultation facilities.