Health Budget: 2015-16 Analysis of allocations in

Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Infrastructure

Group IV

At a glance

• The budget speech was concluded with “सर्वे� भर्वेन्तु सुखिनःसर्वे� सन्तु निनरामयाः meaning may everybody be happy, may everyone be free of illness.• In our opinion there was a lack of increase in public funding

in health and no impetus for research and funding.• Presence of an intent for integrated health care system for an

affordable health for all but requires attention to make any significant impact.

Funds Allocated for Health Infrastructure

NRHM - RCH FLEXIBLE POOL

Allocation of Funds

RCH Flexible Pool

4568.12 (Plan)

Operationalizing Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs), Newborn Stabilization Units (NBSUs), Operationalizing Newborn CarCorners (NBCCs), Establishment / functional of Nutritional Rehabilitation Centers (NRCs) Rastriya Bal Swasthyaya Karyakram(RBSK)

300 New HSCs to be opened.800 New HSCs to be constructed across thecountry.30 new Mobile Medical Units (MMU) to beoperationalized. 200 Ambulances to be operationalized in theStates/UTs.

National Program forControl of Blindness

161.00 (Plan) Strengthening/ development of Eye care infrastructure, - Medical Colleges: 32 - District Hospitals: 150- Sub- District Hospitals:10, - PHC(Vision Centers) 1100 - Eye Banks: 1- Eye Donation Centre:15

NGOs for eye care Facilities: 2Dedicated Eye Units in District Hospitals: 6Multipurpose District Mobile Ophthalmic Units:110Fixed Tele-ophthalmology network units in Govt.Setup/internet basedophthalmic consultation units: 6

Pradhan Mantri SwasthyaSuraksha Yojana

2206.00 (Plan)

AIIMS like Institutions: Creationof capacity in medical education, research and clinical care, in the underserved areas of the Country. Up gradation of medical colleges Improving health infrastructurethrough construction of Super Specialty Block/Trauma Centre etc. and procurement of medical equipment for existing as well as new facilities.

Construction of total of 53 Medical colleges in three phases of PMSSY.

Critical Analysis

• A nations economic development is measured by the health of its people.• The budget showcase that the government still places the health of

Indian citizens on the periphery. The critical road map to primary health care delivery is missing.• The number of government hospitals in India is 19,817 (6,28,708 beds)

in 2013 (latest available official figures; Government hospitals includes central government, State government and local government bodies.) 1

• The budget allocations are concentrated on developing new tertiary health centers. It got a big applause but appears to be ill advised. 2

• Track record of newly established AIIMS in various location doesn’t looks good. • Resigning of Director of AIIMS Bhopal on finance irregularities or

AIIMS Raipur, which is struggling even to fill MBBS seats as per report by the Hindu, March 17 2015, electronic edition which quotes its status rarest of rare.• The presence of 80 to 20 divide and no focus on increasing

primary and secondary care in rural premises.• The incentives of insurance will only be helpful to the private

players. Need of universal healthcare not universal health insurance.

Recommendations

• Creating a fund to measure quality of healthcare delivery in government health facilities and to help monitor patient outcomes.• Control and regulation of private players.• Increased investment in primary and secondary care.• The to do list is very high…………………..

References

1.http://www.cbhidghs.nic.in/writereaddata/mainlinkFile/Health%20Infrastructure-2013.pdf

2.Bhaumik S. Misplaced priorities in the union health budget 2015. J Family Med Prim Care 2015;4:174-6.