health department has been allocated 89,155 crore in the Union Budget, 3% more than 86,200 crores allocated in the budget of 2022-23. Out of 89,155 crores, While the Department of Health and Family Welfare has been allocated Rs 86,175 crore. Rs 2,980 crore has been allocated to the Department of Health Research. The budget allocation is 13% higher than the Revised Estimates ( 76,370 crore) health expenditure in 2022-23.
The Union Budget makes a very important announcement regarding increasing the infrastructure of nursing education in India. The COVID pandemic reminded all countries of the need to invest in capacity building among the health workforce. The addition of such a large number of nursing colleges will surely increase the number of well trained nurses who will graduate and contribute to the health of the citizens. This announcement of the co-location of nursing education with medicine will allow for more interdisciplinary education and training. This will provide an additional impetus to our march towards Universal Health Coverage which is closer to the citizens. Health and wellness center operated activities can be increased further through competent nursing staff. This move to create additional nursing capacity within the country augurs well for the future.
The Indian Council of Medical Research has an excellent network of institutes spread across the country. The willingness to collaborate and share these valuable resources to meet research needs within the public and private sector is a transformative one. It has the potential to bring about a research-driven culture in the health sector. ICMR will continue to play an important role as an invaluable resource both through its human capital and its infrastructure.
The determinants of good health are rooted in social spheres. The focus on food systems, sustainable agriculture and sanitation in the budget is encouraging. The focus on millets is timely and the promotion of health-promoting food items will have an impact on marginal farmers as well. A broader focus on agriculture will also help ensure access to good nutrition for public health reasons and improve child survival. Scientific management of dry and wet waste in urban areas will contribute towards a healthier environment, especially important to reduce the transmission of diseases.
Sickle cell anemia management has the potential to address geographic and social disparities in the population. This activity, if carried out in mission mode, will build on the successes of addressing primary health concerns.
We would like to see the budget highlighting skilling efforts for expansion in the health sector, wherein we systematically build transferable skills to address the health concerns of the future.
The health system in India has to respond to the health aspirations of its citizens. The building blocks of strong infrastructure with adequate and well-trained human resources can transform health and realize the full potential of a healthy population. The budget focuses on infrastructure and skill development. We are confident that they will get positive benefits in the near future.
Sanjay Zodpaye is the President, Public Health Foundation of India.
catch all business News, market news, today’s fresh news events and Breaking News Update on Live Mint. download mint news app To get daily market updates.