Question : SPENDING ON HEALTH SECTOR

(a) the funds allocated and utilised by various States for the health sector during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(b) whether the percentage of Gross Domestic Product spending on health sector is low in India as compared to the developed countries in the world;

(c) if so, whether the High Level Expert Group on Universal Health Coverage and the Indian Medical Association have recommended increase in the Government spending on health; and

(d) if so, the details thereof along with the follow up action taken/proposed by the Government in this regard particularly during the Twelfth Five Year Plan?

THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI GHULAM NABI AZAD)

(a)to(d):A statement is laid on the Table of the House.


STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 120 FOR 30.11.2012

(a) A statement showing allocation and release of funds to the States/UTs under major Centrally Sponsored Schemes/Programmes under National Rural Health Mission and National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases & Stroke (NPCDCS) during last three years and current year is annexed.

(b) According to World Health Statistics 2012 published by World Health Organization (WHO), the total expenditure on health as percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2009 is 4.2% for India as compared to some select developed countries like Germany (11.7)%, France (11.9%), Canada (11.4%), United Kingdom (9.8%) and United States of America (17.6%). The public expenditure on health, as a percentage of GDP in 2009, for India stood at 1.3 per cent.

(c)&(e) The High Level Expert Group (HLEG) on Universal Health Coverage has recommended increasing public spending on health to at least 2.5% by the end of the 12th Plan and to at least 3% of GDP by 2022. The recommendations of the High Level Expert Group (HLEG) are considered by the Planning Commission during formulation of the 12th Five Year Plan. Indian Medical Association has demanded that resources be found, to spend at least 3% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on health.