New Delhi, May 27 (IANS) India has witnessed a significant rise in public spending on primary healthcare over the last decade, with government expenditure increasing from Rs 0.5 lakh crore in 2013-14 to Rs 1.4 lakh crore in 2022-23, as per the latest National Health Accounts (NHA) estimates on Wednesday.

The NHA estimates, released annually, provide a time-series analysis of actual health expenditure incurred by the government, private sector and other sources.

The current estimates for 2022-23 mark the 10th edition in the series that began in 2013-14.

According to the report, the steady rise in healthcare spending highlights the government’s increasing focus on strengthening primary healthcare services and improving healthcare access across the country.

A key component of this effort has been the operationalisation of more than 1.8 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAMs) across India.

These centres provide 12 comprehensive primary healthcare service packages covering reproductive and child healthcare, communicable and non-communicable diseases, mental health, palliative care, oral healthcare, ENT services and emergency care.

The centres also offer free medicines, diagnostic services, wellness sessions and teleconsultation facilities.

To strengthen healthcare delivery further, the government has expanded the essential drug lists available at public healthcare facilities.

Under the revised framework, 106 drugs are available free of cost at SHC-AAMs, 172 at PHC-AAMs, 300 at community health centres, 318 at sub-district hospitals and 381 at district hospitals.

The range of free diagnostic services has also been expanded. Public health facilities now provide 14 diagnostic tests at SHC-AAMs, 63 at PHC-AAMs, 97 at community health centres, 111 at sub-district hospitals and 134 at district hospitals.

The government said mass awareness campaigns and proactive screening initiatives have helped bring healthcare services closer to people’s homes, promoting early detection and timely treatment of diseases.

The impact of these efforts is also reflected in findings from the National Sample Survey Office’s 80th round health survey.

According to the survey, healthcare demand has nearly doubled over the years, increasing from 6.8 per cent to 12.2 per cent in rural areas and from 9.1 per cent to 14.9 per cent in urban areas between 2017-18 and 2025.

–IANS

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