Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of wide range of regional variations in public health spending, if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise and the reasons therefor; and
(b) the steps taken by the Government to improve the situation including providing additional funding to States/UTs?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE)
(a): The Government is aware of wide range of variations in public health spending among States & UTs. The information on public health spending among the States & UTs is annexed.
Public health is a State subject and it is up to the States to decide the level of public funding for health.
(b): The steps taken by the Government to improve the situation including additional funding are as follows:
(i) Under National Health Mission (NHM), funds are provided to States to strengthen their health care system. Funding is also provided to States under other Centrally Sponsored Schemes viz. Rastriya Swasthya Bima Yojna (RSBY), Human Resources for Health & Medical Education and Tertiary Care Programme /Schemes.
(ii) The funding pattern has been revised to 60:40 between the Centre and the State (except NE & Hill States) for Centrally Sponsored Schemes. This will ensure higher contribution by States for such schemes.
(iii) The States are required to increase their State Health Budget by at least 10% as per the MOU between the Union and State Government for NHM.
(iv) Under the NHM, the funds allocated per capita are more for hill States, North Eastern (NE) States and those States that are relatively backward from socio–economic point of view.
(v) Regular reviews are made to ensure that States utilise the released funds.