The Lok Sabha today approved the Demands for Grants under the Control of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for 2024-25 after discussion. Replying to the discussion on Demands for Grants in the House, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda said that the Modi government has given utmost priority to the health sector. The Union Minister informed that the budgetary allocations have gone up from 33 thousand 278 crore rupees in 2013-14 to 90 thousand 958 crore rupees in 2024-25 registering an increase of 164 per cent. He said, of the total budget, 55 per cent of the amount are spent through National Health Mission. He also informed that the government is gradually increasing the health budget and at present it has touched 1.9 per cent of GDP. Mr Nadda also said that due to the implementation of Ayushman Bharat, free drugs and Diagnostics services and free screening, out-of-pocket expenditure has come down from 62 per cent to 47.1 per cent. He said, under NHM, the Centre provides financial and technical support to States for strengthening District Hospitals, Primary Health Centres and Ayushman Arogya Mandir.
Speaking about the infrastructure of Primary Healthcare and Tertiary Healthcare Centre, the Health Minister informed that under the Modi government, a total of 22 AIIMS were sanctioned out of which 18 are operational and four are under construction. Mr Nadda further informed that the government is implementing Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana to provide quality and affordable medicines to patients. He said, under this scheme, a total 13 thousand outlets of Janaushadhi Kendras are operational and the Modi government has decided to open 25 thousand more such Kendras in the next five years. He added that the initiatives taken in the Union Budget 2024-25 will have a far-reaching impact.
Disclaimer: This press release is sourced from News On AIR, Prasar Bharti and Press Information Bureau India (PIB).
