While the budget adheres to a very strong fundamental plan for growth, there doesn’t seem to be a great focus on healthcare per se.
But looking at the interplay of factors that are critical to “universal healthcare”, four proposals stand out
- I applaud the budget’s decision to set aside Rs 3600 crores for National Rural Drinking Water.
- Toilets and drinking water in all girls’ school to begin with. More than Rs 26000 crores set aside. The above two are critical- Universal Healthcare begins from water and sanitation. With 626 millions openly defecating, India has the dubious distinction of accounting for 59 per cent of 1.1 billion people worldwide who practice it. According to UN this is the riskiest sanitation practice, one of the main cause of diarrhoea. Each day 3000 children before age four die from this. Diarrhoea related illness deprive India of 73 million working days each year.
- Four more AIIMS in Andhra Pradesh, WestBengal, Vidharbha and Purvanchal announced with Rs 500 crores set aside for the same. There will be 12 more medical colleges in government hospitals- this will definitely not only bring down the cost of medical education, but also set standards for its quality. It will also be encouraging an environment for research.
- The FM has announced Skill India, a programme to train youth for jobs- we are not very clear on the details of the same- we hope that paramedical staff and nursing are a part of this plan.
– Dr Ramakanta Panda, Vice Chairman, Asian Heart Institute