JSA proposes increasing healthcare budget to 3.5% of GDP

While several concessions and isolated commitments are frequently announced before elections, what is often missing is a more comprehensive approach to the many-sided reform of various important development sectors. A recent attempt for making more comprehensive health sector reform the talking point at the start of the election season should therefore be welcomed.

On March 21, the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA) a coalition of health activists, experts, and organizations committed to the advancement of public health in India, announced the launch of its People’s Health Manifesto 2024 in the run up to the general elections starting from 19 April. Under the theme ‘Our Health, Our Right’, the manifesto outlines key policy recommendations aimed at ensuring universal access to quality healthcare services for all residents of India. The 18-point People’s Health Manifesto, developed through extensive consultation and collaboration with various constituents of JSA, emphasizes the urgent need for transformative reforms in the health care sector to address the existing challenges and disparities.

According to the JSA, India’s public spending on health is among the lowest in the world. Per capita government spending is USD 25 in India, while Thailand spends USD 256 (10 times), China spends USD 363 (15 times), and Sri Lanka spends USD 77 (3 times). After the Covid-19 experience, it was expected, the JSA says, that the government will prioritize health and increase spending in the sector. However, this hope still remains to be fulfilled, as reflected in the continuing low government expenditure on health.

India also fares badly in terms of out-of-pocket expenditure, JSA adds. More than half the money spent on health comes from patients and their families. In this context, JSA’s manifesto makes concrete policy proposals that will improve access to free and quality healthcare by all. Countercurrents