IMA manifesto for bigger spend on health, cut in GST burden
BENGALURU: The national allocation for the health sector should be increased from the existing 1.1 per cent to 5 per cent of the GDP, or at least be enhanced to 2.5 per cent. The present allocation is the lowest in the world, read the health manifesto prepared by the Indian Medical Association (IMA).
The manifesto was submitted to all political parties to be included in their election manifestos for the Lok Sabha polls.
Dr RV Asokan, national president of IMA, told TNIE that the allocation varies from 1.1 per cent to 1.6 per cent of the GDP, cumulatively by various governments. Also, expenditure incurred on health determinants like drinking water and sanitation should be provided separately. The manifesto says India’s overall health spend (public and private) is currently estimated to be 3.8 per cent of its GDP, lower than Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC) whose average health spend is around 5.2 per cent of their GDP. India’s health system is overwhelmingly financed by out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure incurred by households (around 63 per cent of all health spending).
The manifesto also highlights the need for having a universal healthcare package instead of the present insurance model system. Asokan said every citizen should have the right to basic treatment. The main player in healthcare should be the public sector, with a tax funded model. An ill citizen should not be burdened with additional costs and taxes. While treatment for the poor is free in government hospitals, the government should sponsor their treatment in private hospitals too.
