India's health expenditure reaches 1.84% of GDP

Union Health Minister JP Nadda announced that India's healthcare spending has reached 1.84% of GDP. The government is working towards a target of 2.5% by 2025. He shared this update during a discussion on the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's performance. Nadda explained that healthcare funding has grown significantly. In 2013-14, the budget was around Rs 38,000 crore. Now, it is nearly Rs 1 lakh crore. He noted that government health expenditure, which includes both state and central funds, was 1.15% in 2013-14 and has steadily increased to 1.84% of GDP. The National Health Policy 2017 aims to raise healthcare spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2025. Nadda also mentioned the success of the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, which serve as health centers across the country, with about 1.75 lakh currently operational. Furthermore, the minister highlighted the implementation of National Quality Assurance Standards in these health centers. He stated that the government has introduced the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana to improve healthcare access, address regional disparities, and enhance tertiary care by establishing 22 AIIMS and upgrading 75,000 new government medical colleges.