Lok Sabha Question No. 2345 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-13
Subject: Reduction in Cost of Healthcare Services
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Mani A

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2345 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 th FEBRUARY 2026

## REDUCTION IN COST OF HEALTHCARE SERVICES

## 2345. SHRI MANI A:

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

(a) whether the Government proposes to reduce the cost of healthcare services and enhance the supply of qualified doctors in rural and underserved districts such as Dharmapuri in Tamil Nadu through the use of digital health technology, telemedicine and reforms in medical education;

(b) if so, the details of steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government specifically to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, tele-consultation facilities, incentivise medical professionals to serve in Dharmapuri and expand medical training capacity in the State, including technology-enabled interventions; and

(c) If not, the reasons for not implementing such targeted measures for Dharmapuri and other similar districts?

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

(a) to (c): Health is a state subject, hence, the responsibility for improving the healthcare facilities lies with the respective State/UT Governments. However, the Ministry of Health and family Welfare provides technical and financial support to the States / UTs to strengthen the public health care system, based on the proposals received in the form of Program Implementation Plans (PIPs) under National Health Mission Scheme (NHM). The Government of India provides approval for the proposal in the form of Record of Proceedings (RoPs) as per norms and available resources.

The Government has implemented the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) to improve health infrastructure, medicines, equipment, human resources and services in public health facilities, and provide uniform, high-quality health services across all States. The Government has operationalized e-Sanjeevani telemedicine services across the country, enabling health facilities to provide both provider-to-provider (e-Sanjeevani AB-AAM) and patient-to-doctor (e-Sanjeevani OPD) consultations, facilitating remote specialist advice, follow-up care, and timely interventions, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances. 'You Quote, We Pay" (YQWP) scheme is an initiative to address the severe shortage of specialist doctors in government hospitals. It allows specialists to name their own salary, with the Government often accepting competitive bids for positions like anesthetists, gynecologists, and pediatricians, resulting in compensation up to three times higher than regular salaries. Further, the Government ensures the training and capacity building of healthcare professionals for the effective use of tele-medicine technology through the e-Sanjeevani platform.

As per the information provided by the State Government of Tamil Nadu, the State Government is implementing multiple interventions to reduce the cost of healthcare services and improve access to qualified medical professionals in rural and underserved districts, including Dharmapuri, through strengthening public health infrastructure, digital health initiatives and telemedicine under the National Health Mission (NHM) and allied schemes namely Health Sector Grants of the 15 th Finance Commission, Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), etc.

Further, to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure, initiatives such as Free Diagnostic Services, population-based screening, organised cancer screening, home-based delivery of healthcare services, and financial protection through the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMHIS) are being expanded. In addition, preventive and promotive healthcare interventions are being strengthened to reduce catastrophic health expenditure.

The Central Government has taken several initiatives for supplementing the efforts of the State for providing quality and affordable healthcare services to the people. Under National Health Mission (NHM), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen the public healthcare system towards the objective of providing accessible, affordable and quality healthcare to all those who access public health facilities.

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