Lok Sabha Question No. 4637 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-20
Subject: Out-of-Pocket Expenditure on Health
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4637 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 TH MARCH, 2026

## OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENDITURE ON HEALTH

## 4637. DR. KAKOLI GHOSH DASTIDAR:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the latest Out-Of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) on health as a percentage of the total health expenditure of the country;
- (b) whether India's OOPE share in health expenditure is among the highest globally, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether any steps have been taken by the Government to reduce OOPE on health, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL)

- (a) As per National Health Accounts (NHA) estimates, the Out-Of-Pocket expenditure (OOPE) as a percentage of Total Health Expenditure (THE) has been declining continuously from 62.6% in 2014-15 to 39.4% in 2021-22.
- (b) As per NHAestimates, India ranks 69th in the list of 189 countries in OOPE per capita in purchasing power parity (int $) for year 2021-22.
- (c) The Government is making efforts to reduce the OOPE as a percentage of Total Health Expenditure (THE). There has been a significant increase in Government Health Expenditure (GHE) as percentage of THE, which has increased from 29.0% in 2014-15 to 48.0% in 202122.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has rolled out and implemented various schemes and programs to provide accessible, affordable and quality healthcare services to all, including those in rural areas. These key schemes/programs have contributed in reducing out-of-pocket expenditures in availing health services, some of these initiatives are below:-

National Health Mission (NHM): Under the NHM, the Government has taken many steps towards universal health coverage by supporting the State Governments in providing accessible and affordable healthcare to people. The NHM provides support for improvement in health infrastructure, availability of adequate human resources to man health facilities, to improve availability and accessibility to quality health care especially for the underserved and marginalized groups in rural areas. National Free Drugs Service initiative and Free diagnostic

Service has been rolled out to ensure availability of essential drugs and diagnostic facilities and to reduce out of pocket expenditure of the patients visiting public health facilities.

Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) : As reported on AAM portal, a total of 1.85 lakh AAMs have been established and operationalized by transforming existing Sub-Health Centres and Primary Health Centres in rural and urban areas. The purpose of AAMs are to deliver the expanded range of comprehensive primary healthcare services that includes preventive, promotive, curative, palliative and rehabilitative services encompassing Reproductive and Child care services, Communicable diseases, Non-communicable diseases and all health issues, which are universal, free and closer to the community.

Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) with some Central Sector Components (CS) with an outlay of Rs. 64,180 crores for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26. The measures under the PM-ABHIM focus on developing capacities of health systems and institutions across the continuum of care at all levels, primary, secondary and tertiary, to prepare health systems in responding effectively to the current and future pandemics /disasters.

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) aims to provide health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to more than 12 crore families constituting the economically vulnerable bottom 40% of India's population. States/UTs implementing AB-PMJAY have further expanded the beneficiary base, at their own cost. Additionally, the scheme has been expanded to cover 6 crore senior citizens of age 70 years and above belonging to 4.5 crore families irrespective of their socioeconomic status under AB-PMJAY with Vay Vandana Card.

Besides, 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.

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