New Delhi, Aug 5 (Agency) Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Monday said the budgetary allocations for the Health Ministry have increased by 164 per cent since 2014 to Rs 90,958 crore. Replying to the discussion on Demands for Grants in the House, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare said, “In 2013-14, the budget was Rs 33,278 crore, and today it stands at Rs 90,958 crore, marking an increase of 164 per cent. This demonstrates our prioritisation of the health sector.” He also said the government is gradually increasing the health budget and at present it has touched 1.9 per cent of GDP. Nadda also said that due to the implementation of Ayushman Bharat, free drugs and diagnostics service and free screening, out of pocket expenditure has come down from 62 per cent to 47.1 per cent.Speaking about the infrastructure of Primary Healthcare and Tertiary Healthcare Centres, the Health Minister said, “Under the Modi government, a total of 22 AIIMS were sanctioned out of which 18 are operational and four are under construction”.
“Under NHM, the Centre provides financial and technical support to States for strengthening District Hospitals, Primary Health Centres and Ayushman Arogya Mandir” he added. Talking about Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana he said the government is implementing the scheme to provide quality and affordable medicines to the patients. “Under this scheme, a total of 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”. Responding to criticisms, Nadda addressed Trinamool Congress Kalyan Banerjee’s remarks, defending the health infrastructure improvements under the PMSSY. “A senior member is so educated that he does not know what the PMSSY is,” he said, responding to Banerjee, who called the Union Minister a “liar” while Nadda was speaking on health infrastructure. After the discussion, the House also approved the Demands for Grants to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for 2024-25.