State may double health spending

MUMBAI: The State government may double the budgetary allocation for public health sector from Rs 2,601 crore (2019-2020) to Rs 4,190 crore in 2020-2021. 

The government has decided to spend more on health. Towards this purpose, the government may double the budgetary allocation to the Department of Public Health to Rs 4,190 crore in 2020-21 from Rs 2,601 crore in 2019-20.

The government will focus on upgrading of infrastructure, procurement of new equipment, including ambulances used under no 108 during an emergency, and completion of ongoing hospital projects. The government will announce it in the annual budget, to be presented in the Assembly session next month. 

“The increase in budgetary allocation is needed, as most of the plan outlay is tied up with not much flexibility and mainly because of the committed liability of Rs 3,130 crore. The committed liability comprises Rs 1,1211.59 crore on National Health Mission, Rs 1,471 crore on Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Aarogya Yojana, Rs 296 crore for emergency ambulance services, Rs 110 crore towards Prime Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana and Rs 42 crore for Ayush Mission,” said a Health Department official.

From the proposed Rs 4,190 crore, the department will need Rs 1,123.81 crore for ongoing construction, Rs 253.52 crore for procurement of medicines and Rs 131.10 crore for equipment for newly constructed hospitals and other health institutions. 

The department expects Rs 2,642.66 crore for works approved over the last 8 to 10 years. It is yet to be finalised by the Finance Department. Minister of Public Health Rajesh Tope recently sought higher budgetary allocation in a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. 

INCREASE IN FUNDS
The budget to the Department of Public Health may be increased to Rs 4,190 crore in 2020-21 from Rs 2,601 crore in 2019-20.