New Delhi: Government health expenditure rose to ₹3.85 lakh crore in 2022–23, nearly tripling from ₹1.30 lakh crore in 2013–14, according to National Health Accounts (NHA) estimates released by the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday.
The report said the share of government health spending in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased from 1.15 per cent in 2013–14 to 1.43 per cent in 2022–23, and stands at 1.48 per cent as per the revised GDP series with base year 2022–23.
It noted a decline in out-of-pocket expenditure by households, which fell from 64.2 per cent of total health expenditure in 2013–14 to 43.4 per cent in 2022–23, indicating reduced financial burden on patients.
The share of government health expenditure in total health spending increased from 28.6 per cent to 43.7 per cent during the same period.
“In per capita terms, Government Health Expenditure increased nearly 2.7 times from ₹1,042 in 2013–14 to ₹2,786 in 2022–23,” the ministry said.
The report highlighted a spike in public health spending during the Covid-19 pandemic, with expenditure reaching 1.84 per cent of GDP in 2021–22 due to emergency response measures, including implementation of Emergency Covid Response Packages and the nationwide vaccination programme. During this period, out-of-pocket expenditure declined further to 39.4 per cent.
The ministry said the increase in public financing reflects efforts towards improving affordability and access to healthcare, in line with the goal of Universal Health Coverage.
Social Security Expenditure (SSE) on healthcare rose from six per cent of total health expenditure in 2013–14 to 9.9 per cent in 2022–23, covering schemes such as government-funded health insurance, including AB PM-JAY, and medical reimbursements.
Private health insurance share also increased from 3.4 per cent to 9.2 per cent, indicating improved health-seeking behaviour and purchasing capacity.
Government expenditure on primary healthcare more than doubled from ₹0.5 lakh crore in 2013–14 to ₹1.4 lakh crore in 2022–23, the report said.
The NHA estimates are prepared by the National Health Accounts Technical Secretariat under the National Health Systems Resource Centre, following the System of Health Accounts, 2011 framework.
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