India refutes Lancet report on its healthcare spending

Following a Lancet report on low healthcare spending, government sources defended their efforts, stating allocation is at an all-time high. The National Health Policy aims for 2.5% of GDP by 2025, urging states to boost health budgets annually. Budget estimates for Health and Family Welfare surged from Rs 36,948 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 86,175 crore in 2023-24, a 133.23% increase.

The 15th Finance Commission allocated Rs 70,051 crore for health grants through local governments. National Health Accounts show a rise in total health expenditure from Rs 4,83,259 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 6,55,822 crore in 2019-20. Government health spending as a percent of GDP increased from 1.13% to 1.35%, with out-of-pocket expenditure decreasing from 62.6% to 47.1%.