(a) whether India has one of the highest Out of Pocket expenses (OoP) on Healthcare;
(b) if so, the details thereon and the reasons for the same; and
(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Union Government to reduce these expenses?
(a) whether India has one of the highest Out of Pocket expenses (OoP) on Healthcare;
(b) if so, the details thereon and the reasons for the same; and
(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Union Government to reduce these expenses?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI ABU HASEM KHAN CHOUDHURY)
(a)& (b) A statement showing details of Out of Pocket (OoP) expenses on health care in India as compared to select countries is annexed. Reason for high Out of Pocket expenses in India is attributed inter-alia to public expenditure on health as a percentage of total expenditure on health being low as compared to other developed countries.
(c) The steps taken by Government of India to enhance public health facilities in order to reduce Out of Pocket expenses
in healthcare in the country inter-alia, include:
# Initiatives under the National Rural Health Mission with a view to provide accessible affordable, accountable, effective and quality healthcare services especially to the poor and vulnerable sections of the population. While the Mission covers the entire country, 18 States with weak public health indicators and weak health infrastructure have been identified for special attention.
# Implementation of programmes for control of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
# Mainstreaming of Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy.
# Making available specialized health care services through strengthening of public hospitals.
# Increased public allocation for health programmes