JOIN US'2.5 per cent of GDP set aside for healthcare'
The central government decided to increase expenditure on healthcare from 0.9 per cent of GDP to 2.5 per cent in the 12th five year plan, said director general of health services, ministry of health and family welfare, Dr Jagadish Prasad.
He was speaking at the third convocation of JSS University (JSSU) at JSS Medical College premises here on Sunday.
Prasad said healthcare scenario has been undergoing significant shifts globally as governments both in developed and developing countries are attempting necessary structural overhaul in their healthcare systems.
World economy
While, on one hand, the burden of disease on the world economy has been rising, the increasing costs of healthcare delivery have also become a matter of concern. Each country, faces different issues in health, he added.
Prasad mentioned that the country’s achievements in health have been due to establishment of huge rural health infrastructure, along with formation of massive healthcare manpower consisting of lakhs of trained doctors.
He said large number of nurses and other healthcare workers, primary and community healthcare centres and sub-centres, complemented by dispensaries and hospitals practising Indian systems of medicine and homoeopathy have also added to the contribution to healthcare.
Referring to ethics in healthcare, he said it has to be based on sound ethical principals that reflect the reality and needs of contemporary society.
The practise of medicine and practise of ethics are inseparable.
He said, “As healthcare professionals, we must strive to provide some decent minimum level of healthcare for all citizens, regardless of their ability to pay.”
Earlier, JSSU vice-chancellor Dr B Suresh said a total 362 comprising graduate and post graduates would receive their degrees and diplomas.
Recognition
He said JSSU has been placed in B group of institutions according to the review committee of ministry of human resource development.