Health funds underuse: States draw sharp rebuke from Nadda
J P Nadda
on Monday expressed strong concern over the under-utilisation of allocated health funds by states and asked them to focus on improving
healthcare infrastructure
.
Chairing a session at the 17th Civil Services Day celebrations, Nadda said, "I will not allow this narrative to continue that there's no money or capacity to spend it. Utilisation certificates are not even submitted for funds already given."
He recounted a recent visit to a state where allocated funds remained unspent for three years due to repeated tendering and delay in equipment procurement. "Models have changed, new versions have come, but the tender process hasn't even begun," he said.
Calling implementation the crux of the problem, Nadda said, "We can aim for the world's largest health coverage program... we will not let it go down the drain." He stressed that accountability and coordination across all administrative levels are essential, especially when out-of-pocket expenditure for health has reduced from 62% to 39% - calling it a clear sign of the benefit to common citizens.
Highlighting the need for administrative reform within the health sector, Nadda said that many officials, including state health directors and chief medical officers, lack proper training and are hesitant to make decisions. "They are administratively incapacitated. We must support them through capacity building and hand-holding," he said.
He pointed out that many district-level administrators are unaware of the
Program Implementation Plan
(PIP) under the
National Health Mission
(NHM), which is central to planning and executing healthcare initiatives.
"How can they plan if they don't even know the year's implementation plan?" Nadda questioned, and urged IAS officers to take ownership of the PIP and involve district officials in planning before forwarding it to Delhi.
He also reiterated govt's long-term vision for
Ayushman Bharat
, which includes the PM-JAY insurance scheme and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. These, he said, stemmed from extensive consultation since 2015, unlike earlier fragmented health policies. "This is India's first holistic and inclusive health policy," he said, noting its emphasis on geriatric care and early screening for non-communicable diseases.
"By the age of 30, everyone should be visiting Arogya Mandirs for screening hypertension, diabetes, oral and cervical cancer, and mental and dental health," he said, underlining the shift from treatment to
preventive healthcare
.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
No change in blood donation rules for transpersons: Govt
NEW DELHI The Supreme Court building in New Delhi. (HT Photo) The Union government has told the Supreme Court that there is no need to revise the existing blood transfusion policy prohibiting donation from transgender persons, men having sex with men (MSM) and women sex workers, underlining that these groups continue to present a statistically higher risk of HIV and other transfusion-transmitted infections. 'Allowing blood donations from individuals statistically linked with a higher prevalence of TTIs (transfusion-transmitted infections) would proportionately increase systemic risks and undermine the integrity and reliability of the national blood supply chain… No modification or relaxation of the guidelines is warranted at this time,' said an affidavit by the ministry of health and family welfare filed before a bench led by justice Surya Kant. Maintaining that the deferment of individuals belonging to high-risk categories is both 'reasonable and essential', the affidavit added: 'These guidelines are firmly rooted in globally accepted scientific research, established public health principles, and robust epidemiological evidence. Any dilution or relaxation of these standards would pose a serious risk to the safety and integrity of the national blood supply.' The affidavit was filed in response to the court's oral suggestion in May that the policy be reconsidered in light of medical advancements and evolving global practices. Acting on the court's direction, the Directorate General of Health Services set up an expert committee, which met on May 29 and concluded that no change was warranted in the 2017 Guidelines for Blood Donor Selection and Referral. The expert panel highlighted that even the most advanced testing technologies cannot offer absolute assurance of detecting infections during the 'window period' when diseases like HIV remain undetectable. In such circumstances, exclusion of high-risk groups was described as a 'prudent, precautionary, and evidence-based measure' aligned with international standards. 'Notwithstanding the availability of modern testing technologies, no diagnostic test can offer a 100% guarantee of detecting all infections, particularly during the 'window period,' wherein certain infections may remain undetectable,' stated the affidavit, adding that due to such inherent limitations, the exclusion of high-risk categories continues to be a 'prudent, precautionary, and evidence-based measure'. Pointing to epidemiology, the Centre said the challenged clauses rest on data, not stigma. 'Multiple international research studies have consistently highlighted a significantly high prevalence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections among transgender persons, particularly transgender women… Accordingly, the deferment… is rooted in established epidemiological data and public health evidence, which reflect a higher incidence of TTIs, notably HIV, within such population groups,' it said. The government also noted that while some Western countries have lifted restrictions on certain donor categories, many Asian neighbours, including Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and China, continue to uphold similar bans. India, it said, must base its policies on its own epidemiological profile, health care infrastructure and diagnostic capacities. Invoking constitutional obligations, the Centre framed the policy as a precaution the Constitution demands. 'The continued adherence to the precautionary principle in matters relating to blood safety is not only justified but also constitutionally mandated under the State's obligation to protect public health, as enshrined in Article 47 of the Constitution of India,' the affidavit asserted. The affidavit comes after the Supreme Court, during a hearing on May 14, questioned the rationale of branding entire communities as 'risky' donors. The bench had asked: 'Are we going to brand all transgenders as risky and stigmatise them? You cannot say that all transgenders are indulging in sexual activity.' The court had observed that transgenders already face severe prejudice and warned against creating 'a segregated group' that would deepen stigma. The petitions, including one filed by Manipur-based transgender activist Thangjam Santa Singh in 2021, have challenged some relevant clauses of the 2017 guidelines, arguing that they are unconstitutional as they discriminate on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation. The plea asserts that the exclusions perpetuate stereotypes and violate the right to equality under Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
After BDS debacle, NEET 1st round revised list out
Bhopal: The MP directorate of medical education (DME) released an updated First Round Allotment for MP State Combined NEET UG Counselling 2025 on Wednesday. In this allocation, 4,232 MBBS seats and 931 BDS seats were distributed. The announcement followed DME's earlier decision to remove 100 BDS seats from the counselling process. This reduction occurred after the Union health ministry instructed against student admissions at Guru Govind Singh College of Dental Science and Research Centre, Burhanpur for the 2025-26 academic session. The timing of the ministry's directive — issued four days before counselling but apparently not acted upon until after allotments were made — had sparked criticism. Out of the top 300 MP State Quota rankers, around 130 were allotted this college. It's the most preferred institution, chosen by nearly 43% of top candidates. Around 90 top rankers opted for GMC Bhopal, making it the second most preferred college — chosen by 30% of the top 300. The updated allocation results are now accessible on Students with highest rankings received placements at renowned institutions including Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College, Indore, and GMC, Bhopal. Overall MBBS seat selection remained unchanged, with only minor reallocations in private colleges. In BDS, seats were redistributed with slight increases at Mansarovar Dental College, while the total stayed constant. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Over 97k sickle cell cases found in state in 2 years
Bhubaneswar: As many as 97,501 sickle cell disease (SCD) cases have been identified in the state in the last two years after 46.65 lakh people were screened. This was revealed at a review meeting chaired by health secretary Aswathy S here on Wednesday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now So far, 46.65 lakh screenings have been conducted against the cumulative target of around 1.08 crore up to the year 2025-26 from the launch of the programme in July 2023. "Sickle cell traits have been found in 4,11,395 cases. The identified cases are being provided with the required treatment through govt hospitals in their respective areas," said a statement from the health and family welfare department. At the meeting, the health secretary asked her department officials to intensify the drive against SCD and thalassemia in high-risk zones. Brundha D, mission director, National Health Mission (NHM), Odisha, said 21 districts have been covered under the sickle cell programme of the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission. In these districts, SCD screening facilities are provided on different platforms. "At the school and anganwadi centre level, screening for children aged 0 to 18 years is conducted by the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) team at the community level. The screening of pregnant women is done in the course of antenatal care on village health and nutrition day. In tribal areas, the screening is done through mobile health units," she added. In urban areas, screening facilities are available at the level of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Besides, screening facilities have also been made available at the health centre level in other less risky nine districts, said the senior officer. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Regarding govt assistance, the official said each registered SCD patient is being provided Rs 500 per month through his/her bank account towards transportation costs. Free blood is provided to them. They are also exempted from paying the service charges for blood packs. Free medicines are provided to them at govt hospitals. Besides, financial assistance of up to Rs 10 lakh is provided to children less than 12 years of age for bone marrow transplantation, she added.
