Govt’s health expenditure share in GDP increases

In India, the government’s share in health expenditure in the total GDP of the country increased from 1.15% (2013-14) to 1.35% (2017-18). According to a report by the National Health Accounts Estimates for India, the per capita out-of-pocket expenditure declined from Rs 2,336 to Rs 2,097 from 2013-14 to 2017-18. The NHA prepares its estimates based on the accounting framework which is the internationally accepted System of Health Accounts 2011, provided by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The government’s share in health expenditure in the total health expenditure also increased to 40.8% (2017-18) from 28.6% (2013-14). The health ministry said that the government’s expenditure on health showed an increasing trend. It said that it also showed growing trust in the public health care system.

The share of the government's expenditure was 40.8%, which is much higher than 28.6% in 2013-14,” Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said while releasing the report in New Dehi on Monday. The report also showed that the share of social security expenditure on health, for example, expenditure on social health insurance programmes, government financed health insurance schemes, and medical reimbursements made to government employees, also increased. It said that foreign aid for health has come down to 0.5%.