India’s health scenario grim, says former health secretary

September 24, 2009

India's health scenario grim, says former secretary

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, SEPT 11

India's health indices continue to remain poor and are sadly inferior compared

to other developing countries like Argentina and Brazil. In many parameters of

health, India even lags behind countries like Indonesia, Sri Lanka and

Bangladesh.

Making a not-too-good statement about the health scenario in the country, former

health secretary, Government of India, Javid Chaudhary, highlighted the need to

increase financial allocation in the public health sector where expenditure was

found to be lowest globally.

Chaudhary made a presentation on `Governance of Health Sector in India: Has the

State Abdicated its Role?' at the 35th Annual General Body Meeting of the

Voluntary Health Association of India held in the city on Friday.

The former health secretary said here was no focus on allocation of resources

and management of health promotion and preventive initiatives were miniscule.

" Allocation of resources should be 50 per cent more in States where health

facilities are poor. A policy decision in this regard is required, " he

highlighted.

Chaudhary said even States have to change their patter of allocation of

resources. The UPA Government had assured it would increase allocation of

financial resources in the health sector, but despite that in 2009-10 the

allocation remains below 1 per cent, he rued.

He further pointed out that in India the availability number of qualified

doctors was less than that of a country like Cuba. He said the health system in

the country was unregulated and in this regard some measures were required from

the Government.

State Chief Secretary, Sanjay Srivastava, who was the chief guest at the

meeting, highlighted several initiatives of the Goa Government like 108

emergency service, universal Mediclaim scheme, etc and said the State showed

better health parameters compared to States in the country.

On the occasion, Voluntary Health Association of Goa, which hosted today's

meeting, felicitated Dr Wilfred de Souza for his contribution to the State's

health sector.

Speaking after his felicitation, Dr de Souza commended VHAI for its grassroots

in the health sector and called point to add valuable inputs in framing the

country's health policy.

VHAI honoured Anshu Prakash, commissioner (IAS), for his efforts in making a PPP

model of health delivery system workable in the difficult terrain of Arunachal

Pradesh.

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