The government treats the pandemic as a retreat, based on a perusal of budget documents along with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s budget speech. In 2021-22, budget documents show, the Center spent ₹82,920 crore – nearly ₹11,000 crore more – than it had in the previous budget. This was largely in the form of ‘Grants-in-aid’ to the states.
It proposes to spend around ₹83,000 crore in the coming financial year. The budget estimate for 2022 is about 16% higher than last year’s budget estimate of ₹71,000 crore.
There is further evidence that COVID-19 is seen as a lesser threat this year, which comes from the allocation of a budgetary head called “India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness”, which last year An allocation of ₹12,359 crore was seen, but there was zero allocation. current year.
However, in her address, Ms Sitharaman emphasized on improving access to mental health facilities through telemedicine and digital health facilities. His speech did not mention vaccines, improving hospitals, improving public health facilities – all key points mentioned in the last two years.
“I recognize that we are in the middle of an omicron wave, with high incidence but mild symptoms. Also, the speed and coverage of our vaccination campaign has helped a lot. Rapid improvements in health infrastructure over the past two years With everyone’s effort (Sabka Prayas), we will continue our journey of strong growth,” Ms Sitharaman said in her inaugural address.
As of Monday, India has double immunized more than 75% of its eligible population, even as nearly 167,000 new cases have been reported in the last 24 hours.
While the allocation has not been increased, the Center is also expected to spend the same on health research as last year. In 2021-22, the Center allocated ₹2,663 crore for health research, but spent ₹3,080 crore. This year, it has budgeted ₹3,200 crore.
The capital expenditure by the Health Ministry in the coming year is ₹5,632 crore or about ₹1,000 crore less than the previous year. Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PMABHIM) has seen a substantial increase of ₹4,177 crore this year from ₹585 crore last year.
Along with improving pandemic preparedness through research and development, a plan to strengthen “biosecurity” has also been raised from ₹140 crore to ₹690 crore.