The Modi government in India has made significant strides in improving public healthcare in the country, with per capita government spending on healthcare tripling from Rs1,042 in 2013-14 to Rs3,169 in 2021-22. This increase in public healthcare investment marks a crucial shift in India’s healthcare system, with government spending surpassing private out-of-pocket expenditure for the first time in history.
According to official data, the share of government health expenditure in total spending on healthcare has seen a significant rise, increasing from 28.6 per cent in 2013-14 to 48 per cent in 2021-22. Concurrently, private expenditure on healthcare, which had been dominant for a long time, saw a sharp decline from 64.2 per cent to 39.4 per cent over the same period. This shift highlights the government’s efforts to reduce the financial burden on individuals and make healthcare more accessible to all citizens.
The increase in public healthcare spending can be attributed to initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, which provides Rs 5 lakh of insurance coverage to over 50 crore people in India, as well as increased investment in public health infrastructure and preventive care. In the July Budget, the government announced that the benefits of the Ayushman Bharat scheme would be extended to all Indian citizens who are over 70 years old, with the aim of providing free healthcare solutions to all.
The Modi government’s focus on creating healthier citizens is reshaping India’s healthcare landscape, with public resources playing a more significant role in meeting the nation’s healthcare needs and reducing reliance on private expenditure. This dedication to improving public healthcare is evident through the government’s commitment to increasing public healthcare spending, providing insurance coverage to a vast number of Indians, and investing in health infrastructure and preventive care measures.
The government’s efforts have led to a notable shift in healthcare financing in India, with public spending surpassing private out-of-pocket expenditure. This change is crucial in making healthcare more affordable and accessible to all citizens, reducing the financial burden on individuals and ensuring that public resources are utilized effectively to meet the healthcare needs of the population.
Overall, the Modi government’s emphasis on improving public healthcare in India is evident through the significant increase in government spending on healthcare, which marks a pivotal shift in the country’s healthcare system. With initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and increased investment in health infrastructure, the government is working towards creating a healthier population and reducing the reliance on private expenditure in healthcare.
