M A I N   N E W S

Govt plans boost for health care, to invest 2.5% of GDP
* Health outlay to be increased
* Free drugs, cashless OPD service on way
Tribune News Service

India’s health sector needs a shot in the arm.

New Delhi, February 29
India will finally see raised public spending on health, cashless OPD services and free delivery of drugs through public health facilities.

These key decisions were taken at a high-level meeting on health sector priorities held in the Prime Minister’s Office today. A PMO press statement said a decision had been made to increase total government health expenditure to 2.5 per cent of the GDP by the end of the 12th Plan. Currently, the expenditure is 1.4 pc of the GDP.

The PMO also gave a go-ahead to the delivery of free medicines for all through government setting and provision of a minimum package of care to all citizens through the provision of cashless and hassle-free outpatient, inpatient and diagnostic care and supply of essential medicines. All these recommendations formed part of the Report on Universal Health Coverage which a Planning Commission High Level Expert Group made last year.

The Health Ministry had proposed a fresh initiative called “Free medicine for all through Public Health Facilities” under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).

“The Cabinet has approved the setting up of a Central Procurement Agency for bulk procurement of drugs. The Ministry should strengthen facilities at government facilities to provide a minimum package of care to all citizens through provision of cashless, hassle-free outpatient, inpatient and diagnostic care and supply of essential medicines,” the PMO said days after the PM announced at the Polio Summit the Government’s intention of raising public spending on health.

The PMO said the Planning Commission had been requested to allocate resources.