Will the Swasth Bharat scheme help revive our deteriorating health infrastructure?

What is the new PMASBY scheme?

The objective of the scheme is to strengthen health systems and institutions at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels and prepare them to deal effectively with epidemics and disasters. This plan comes with an outlay of approx. ₹64,180 crore in six years. This will be in addition to the National Health Mission. The government says that the health infrastructure in India has not been given enough attention because people, especially in rural areas, have to wander from door to door to access health services, which worsens their condition and There is financial pressure on patients. Modi said the aim of the new scheme is to address this shortcoming.

Did Covid-19 revive health investments?

With Covid-19 exposed in India’s healthcare system, the Center considered more plans for healthcare and started investing in the sector. The increased investment will support research on infectious diseases, including generating evidence to inform short- and medium-term response to epidemics, and preventing, detecting and responding to outbreaks in humans and animals. Research is involved to develop core competence to deliver a health outlook. The National Health Policy aims to increase public health expenditure from the current 1.15% to 2.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2025.

How bad is India’s healthcare infrastructure?

Despite a modest increase in health expenditure, India’s health statistics are disappointing. According to government data, India has 1.4 beds per 1,000 people, 1 doctor per 1,445 people and 1.7 nurses per 1,000 people. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), India ranks 184th out of 191 countries in health spending.

How much does India spend on health?

According to Oxfam India’s 2020 Index Report, Nigeria and Bahrain have secured the lowest ranks in the Health Expenditure Index. India was ranked 155, sharing the position with Afghanistan, with both countries allocating less than 4% of their budget on health. The report also found that Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh spent more on health than India. “India’s health budget is the fourth lowest in the world. Half of its population has access to the most essential health services,” the report said.

How PMASBY will help in bridging the gap?

There are three major aspects of PMASBY. The first is to create facilities for diagnosis and treatment, under which health and wellness centers are being opened in villages and cities. Early detection of diseases will be facilitated. Second, testing networks for diagnosis of diseases will be promoted. For example, about 730 districts of the country will get integrated public health laboratories. The third aspect is the expansion and strengthening of existing research institutions studying epidemics.