The Constitution of India makes health in India the responsibility of state governments, rather than the central government. It makes every state responsible for “raising the level of nutrition and the standard of living of its people and the improvement of public health as among its primary duties”.
Over the next couple of blogs and newsletters, we will find out more about our healthcare system and how healthy it really is.
Let’s start with a few facts.
- Although all states are required to provide good health care to our burgeoning population, India spends only 1.62% of its GDP on creating systems and infrastructure for the same. China spends 3% of its GDP on health, the UK 8% and the USA 8.3%. A minimum of 2.5% spend is needed in order to provide decent health services to our communities.
- At 60%, India has one of the highest out-of-pocket health care expenditures. Besides, the country has only 6.49 doctors per 10,000 people, lower than most developing nations. Orissa has the highest number of government hospitals in the country.
- Per capita spend on health across the world is as follows:
4. State-wise expenditure on health in India is as follows:
Not everything is dull, though. Our infant mortality rates have dropped over 30% with an increase in awareness, better access to care for mothers and pregnant women and vaccinations.
In 2016, the government has decided to cover unforeseen illness in poor families with an additional Rs 30,000 for senior citizens. Their plan to add 3,000 pharmacies under the Jan Aushadhi Yojana to provide generic drugs at affordable rates is a commendable move.
This video here also gives us cause to celebrate. Despite the many problems facing us, we are only moving upwards and onwards. Here, we celebrate Dr. Devi Shetty and his revolutionary methods to make good quality healthcare affordable to all.
Awareness is the first step to action. Stay tuned for more about the state of our health with us at Desh Apnayen.