Lok Sabha Question No. 5602 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: Medical Emergency Infrastructure for Future Pandemics
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Putta Mahesh Kumar

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5602 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2025

## MEDICALEMERGENCYINFRASTRUCTURE FOR FUTURE PANDEMICS

## 5602 SHRI PUTTA MAHESH KUMAR:

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

(a) whether the Government has prepared any emergency policies so as to reduce the massive economic losses caused by previous pandemic in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of the preparedness of India's medical and emergency infrastructure for future possible pandemics;

(c) the total number of researchers and professionals who have been appointed/presently employed to make sure that India is prepared for future pandemic situations in our country;

(d) the total amount of funds allocated and utilised to make our medical infrastructure prepared for possible pandemics in the future across the country during the last three years, State/UT-wise especially in Andhra Pradesh; and

(e) whether the Government has undertaken any campaigns for raising awareness on pandemic preparedness amongst the general public and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) Government of India, in light of the pandemic, has followed an inclusive policy approach by strengthening social security systems along with a continued emphasis on economic growth. Government is implementing various targeted measures to provide relief to low-income and vulnerable sections such as by providing elderly with pensions, healthcare facilities and creating elder-friendly public spaces and mobility options. This, coupled with the Government's efforts to provide affordable housing, social security for workers, food security, financial inclusion, universal access to basic amenities and affordable healthcare to improve the overall well-being. At the same time, the Government's focus on robust capital expenditure, infrastructure build-up, financial sector reforms, ease of doing business, agriculture, education, skill development, small

and micro enterprises, and urban development is likely to sustain high growth rates of Indian economy, amidst geopolitical uncertainties. These measures have helped the Indian economy to achieve an average annual growth rate of 8.2 per cent during 2021-22 to 2024-25 (estimates for 2024-25 are the second advance estimate released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation).

(b) Prevention of and preparedness against pandemics is shared global responsibility. In order to better prepare against future pandemics/public health emergencies in the country, Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare provides requisite support to States/UTs to enhance their capabilities.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen the public healthcare system including setting up of health facilities and recruitment of medical personnel based on the proposals received in the form of Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) under National Health Mission.

Further, Government of India has launched several schemes to address healthcare infrastructure in all the States/UTs in the country in addition to National Health Mission:

-  Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) envisages increased investments in public health and other health reforms to provide better access to health in rural areas by i) Strengthening of Health and Wellness Centres in villages and cities for early detection of diseases; ii) Addition of new critical care-related beds at district level hospitals; iii) Support for Block Public Health Units (BPHU) in 11 high focus States; and iv) Integrated district public health laboratories in all districts.
-  The Fifteenth Finance Commission (FC-XV) has recommended grants through local governments for specific components of the health sector and spread over the five-year period from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26 to facilitate strengthening of health system at the grass-root level.
-  The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) aims at correcting regional imbalances in the availability of affordable tertiary healthcare services and to augment facilities for quality medical education in the country. The Scheme has two components, namely, (i) setting up of all India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS); and (ii) Upgradation of existing Government Medical Collages/ Institution (GMCIs).
-  Under Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), 'Establishment of new medical colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals', with preference to underserved areas and aspirational districts, where there is no existing Government or private medical college. The fund sharing mechanism between the Centre and State Governments is in the ratio of 90:10 for North Eastern and Special Category States, and 60:40 for others.

(c) Preparedness and response to pandemics is a multi-faceted activity wherein research and development activities span a wide array of activities including disease epidemiology, genomics, development and clinical testing of pandemic countermeasures like diagnostics, drugs and vaccines, logistics etc. Government of India promotes research and development in such

activities through a number of technical Ministries/Departments including Department of Health Research and Ministry of Science and Technology.

(d) Funding support has been provided to States/UTs for health system strengthening to meet any exigency due to public health emergencies like pandemics. During the FY 2020-21, funds to the tune of Rs. 8473.73 crore have been released to the States/UTs towards the India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package (ECRP-I) for health infrastructure strengthening, expansion of laboratory network, surveillance, procurement of medical logistics etc. Under India COVID 19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Package-Phase II, a sum of Rs. 12,740.22 crore support was provided to States/UTs for ramping up health infrastructure and provision of medical logistics. This included funds provided for enhancement of bed capacities at Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres and District Hospitals; establishment of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) plants, establishment of paediatric Centres of Excellence and paediatric ICU beds etc.

Further, a release of approximately Rs. 4500.64 crore has been provided as central release of grants under PM-ABHIM (FY 2022-23 till FY 2024-25) for better public health preparedness through Critical Care Blocks at Medical Colleges and District Hospitals, Integrated Public Health Laboratories, etc.

Financial support of Rs. 441.94 crore, Rs. 417.91 crore and Rs. 80.86 crore was provided to State Government of Andhra Pradesh under ECRP-I, ECRP-II and PM-ABHIM respectively.

(e) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under Central Sector Scheme, Swastha Nagrik Abhiyan (SNA) aims to support healthy lives and promoting the well-being of all at all ages through Information Education and Communication (IEC) activities. Such IEC activities are taken up by the States/UTs as per the priorities of the diseases under National Health Mission (NHM) program. IEC activities have encouraged health seeking behavior among the masses resulting in better health outcomes through various Health programs of Government.

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