Lok Sabha Question No. 1128 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-08
Subject: Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Midhun Reddy

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1128 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08 th DECEMBER, 2023

## OUT-OF-POCKET HEALTH EXPENDITURE

## 1128. SHRI P.V. MIDHUN REDDY:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the health expenditure as a percentage of GDP during each of the last three years;
- (b) whether out-of-pocket expenditure on health in the country is one of the highest across the world;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with details of the necessary steps taken by the Government to bring down out-of-pocket expenditure on health in the country;
- (d) whether the Government is planning to increase the spending on health in order to meet its targets; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (PROF. S. P. SINGH BAGHEL)

- (a) As per the available National Health Accounts (NHA) Estimates Report, the details of the Total Health Expenditure (THE) and Government Health Expenditure (GHE) as percentage of GDPduring the last three years are given in table as under:

| Indicator          | 2017-18   | 2018-19   | 2019-20   |
|--------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| THE (Rs. in crore) | 5,66,644  | 5,96,440  | 6,55,822  |
| THE as %of GDP     | 3.30%     | 3.16%     | 3.27%     |
| GHE as %of GDP     | 1.35%     | 1.28%     | 1.35%     |

(b) to (e) As per National Health Accounts Estimates, the Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) as percentage of THE has been declining from 64.2% (2013-14) to 47.1% (2019-20). The Government is making full efforts to reduce the OOPE and progressively to achieve Universal Health Coverage.

As per the National Health Policy, 2017, public investment in health is envisioned to reach 2.5% of GDP by 2025. The budget allocation for DoHFW has increased by 82% from Rs. 47,353 crore in 2017-18 (BE) to Rs. 86,175 crore in 2023-24 (BE). The 15 th Finance Commission has also provided Rs. 70,051 crore Grants for health through the Local Government.

The Government has launched four mission mode projects, namely PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), Ayushman Arogya Mandir (erstwhile AB-HWCs), Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). Recently Government has launch Ayushman Bhav campaign. The 'Ayushman Bhav' campaign, is a comprehensive nationwide healthcare initiative that aims to provide saturation coverage of healthcare services, reaching every village and town in the country. This groundbreaking initiative builds upon the success of the Ayushman Bharat program and signifies a paradigm shift in healthcare services.

Other notable initiatives are to provide financial and technical support to States/UTs under National Health Mission (NHM), setting up of new AIIMS, upgrading of Government medical colleges under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY), support to States/UTs for setting up of new medical colleges as well as for increasing UG and PG medical seats, provision of free drugs and free diagnostic facilities at Primary Health Centres (PHC)/ Community Health Centres (CHC) and district hospital level, substantial increase in availability of government ambulances etc.

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has been announced on 27 th September, 2021 with aim to develop the backbone for necessary support for the integrated digital health infrastructure of the country. The objective of the mission is to bridge the existing gap amongst different stakeholders of Healthcare ecosystem through digital highways.

Quality generic medicines are made available at affordable prices to all under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in collaboration with the State Governments. Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Pharmacy stores have been set up in some hospitals/institutions.

The Government has launched a 'National Tele Mental Health Programme' on 10 th October, 2022, to further improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country. NIMHANS, Bengaluru is the National Apex Centre, co-ordinating activities of Tele MANAS across India.