Union Budget: Unhealthy allocation for health sector
Hyderabad: Two years of sustained pressure on healthcare infrastructure due to three successive Covid waves had raised a lot of expectations from the union Budget among public health specialists. However, the overall reaction from industry leaders in healthcare towards the Budget has been a mixed bag.
A 10 per cent increase in allocation to health is not in line with the health policy aspiration of public spending of 2.5 per cent of GDP. Increased allocation to other social sectors that have a bearing on health status of people was a saving grace, said South Asia Regional Director, ACCESS Health International, Dr Krishna Reddy Nallamalla.
Sector experts, however, praised budget’s focus on digital health ecosystem, mental health and wellbeing. “Inclusion of National Digital Health Ecosystem is laudable. The open platform comprising digital registries and universal access to health facilities, will ensure quality and on-demand healthcare. The National Tele Mental Health programme couldn’t have come at a more opportune time,” said Dr. Gayatri Kamineni, COO, Kamineni Hospitals.
Doctors said that due to the pandemic, there was a need for a fresh impetus. “The existing healthcare machinery stood up to the challenge and did its best to keep a possible disaster under check during the pandemic and this sector needed a fresh impetus to enhance and strengthen the healthcare net across India. I strongly feel Government must directly invest or encourage more private investments in the sector to ensure semi-urban and rural locations receive quality healthcare facilities,” said D V S Soma Raju, ED, SLG Hospitals.
Public health specialists praised the inclusion of mental health in the budget. “The National Tele Mental Health program initiative is a revolutionary one as mental health has not received much attention. It is a conscious investment into the human capital of the country and an effort in the direction of improving the quality of life of the citizens. ” Dr. Krishna Prasad, MD, Ankura Hospital for woman and Children, said.
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