Discussed Healthcare Initiatives in The Budget

Source: This post on Healthcare Initiatives in the Budget has been created based on the article “A rising tide lifts all boats” published in “The Hindu” on 3^rd February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 Social Justice – Issues relating to Health.

News: The article Discussed Healthcare Initiatives in The Budget. It also highlights what more needs to be done in this sector.

What were The key Healthcare Initiatives in The Budget?

1) HPV Vaccination Drives: Promotion of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among young girls, to prevent cervical cancer.

2) Maternal and child health care received a comprehensive focus.

3) Research and Technology: A corpus of ₹1 lakh crore for investing in research and technology has been set aside for the private sector. In health care, technology can boost access to quality care and overcome limitations such as the skewed doctor-patient ratio and reduce health-care costs.

4) Enhancing Connectivity: New corridors with railways along with more airports and air routes will help Indians in getting easier access to quality health care.

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What more Should be Done in Healthcare?

1. Expand Initiatives: Similar steps (like the HPV vaccination drive) for several types of cancers and all non-communicable diseases should be taken.
2. Increasing Allocation: There has been less than 2% budgetary allocation for health over the years. If this can be increased to 5%, remarkable strides can be made in achieving better outcomes.
3. Preventive health checks: Incentivising individuals to undertake preventive health checks is important.

Question for practice:

What were the key healthcare initiatives in the Interim Budget 2024? What more steps should be taken in this sector to ensure sound public health?