Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda addressed the Lok Sabha on Monday, responding to the Demands for Grants related to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for 2024-25. He emphasised that the budget for health infrastructure has increased by 164% in the past decade.
Underlining the prioritisation of the health sector under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, Nadda said several suggestions regarding health infrastructure were welcomed by the Centre. "Most suggestions focused on two main points: increasing the budget for the health sector and reducing out-of-pocket expenditure. I welcome these suggestions," he added.
Highlighting the significant budget increase over the years, Nadda stated, "In 2013-14, the budget was Rs 33,278 crore, and today it stands at Rs 90,958 crore, marking an increase of 164% . This demonstrates our prioritisation of the health sector."
He also noted that local governments allocated an additional Rs 71,051 crore, as suggested by the 15th Finance Commission Report. "The National Health Mission (NHM) ensures that state governments strengthen their health infrastructure and logistics, with Rs 55 crore allocated from the total health budget," Nadda added.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), Rs 13,900 crore has been spent to strengthen tertiary health care. Nadda mentioned progress towards the target set in the 2017 health policy to spend 2.5 percent of GDP on health. "We have increased from 1.1 % to 1.9 % and are moving towards 2% ."
Addressing out-of-pocket expenditure, the Health Minister said, "It has been reduced from 62% to 41% by solidifying the base of Ayushman Bharat, free drugs and diagnostic facilities, free screening, and many more. We will further reduce this under the leadership of PM Modi."
Nadda emphasised the four mission-mode projects under the National Health Policy, highlighting the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), which provides Rs 5 lakh coverage to 12 crore families, equating to 40 per cent of India’s population.
He praised the expansion of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), from one AIIMS previously to 22 now, with 18 operational and two under construction. "The number of medical colleges has also increased from 387 to 731, and undergraduate seats have risen from 51,348 to 1,12,112, with a 118% increase in postgraduate seats," Nadda added.
Responding to criticisms, Nadda addressed Trinamool Congress member Kalyan Banerjee’s remarks, defending the health infrastructure improvements under the PMSSY. "The senior member is so educated that he does not know what the PMSSY is," he said, responding to Banerjee, who called the Union Minister a “liar” during the discussion.
Additionally, the Health Minister discussed the increase in health centres, PSCs, and CSCs in both rural and urban areas and the establishment of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs to provide comprehensive primary health care services in remote areas.
Nadda also highlighted the free medical facilities, mobile healthcare services, and the “you quote, we pay” plan for doctors, ensuring they receive competitive salaries for operating in hard-to-reach areas.
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