Spend more on health infrastructure: J P Nadda to states

The Health Minister, J P Nadda, called on state governments to invest more in improving healthcare infrastructure and rejected opposition claims that allocations for the PM-Ayushman Bharat Healthcare Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) had been reduced.

During his response to the debate on the demand for grants for the health and family welfare ministry in the Lok Sabha, Nadda highlighted the government’s achievements, including the increase in the number of medical colleges, efforts to reduce out-of-pocket expenses on healthcare, and initiatives for early disease screening such as cancer and sickle cell anemia. Nadda emphasized the government’s commitment to effective planning, last mile delivery, identifying and addressing bottlenecks in last mile delivery.

He also challenged Trinamool Congress members protesting in the Lok Sabha to explain why the West Bengal government had not shared the dengue registry with the Centre.

Addressing the opposition’s claims of reduced funds for the health infrastructure mission, Nadda pointed out that states only used Rs 1,806 crore out of the allocated Rs 4,200 crore in last year’s budget.

He emphasized that the government is willing to allocate more funds if the current funds are utilized properly and confirmed that Rs 3,200 crore have been allocated for PM-ABHIM in the current year.