Funds allocated for healthcare infrastructure development during 2022-24: MoS Health
New Delhi: In pursuit of the goal of ensuring universal access to equitable, affordable, and high-quality healthcare services, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is actively implementing the National Health Mission (NHM).
The government is extending both technical and financial support to states and union territories for the enhancement of health infrastructure, adequate human resources in health facilities, and the improvement of healthcare accessibility, particularly for marginalized groups.
Additionally, the Pradhan Mantri - Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with Central Sector Components, has an outlay of Rs. 64,180 Crores for the scheme period spanning 2021-22 to 2025-26. Annexure II provides specifics on the approval and expenditure for the fiscal years 2022-23 to 2023-24 under this scheme.
The 'India COVID-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package-I' (ECRP-I) of Rs.15,000 crore, aimed at addressing the challenges posed by COVID-19, has been 100% centrally funded. Additionally, the 'India Covid-19 Emergency Response and Health Systems Preparedness Package-II' (ECRP-II), approved in July 2021 for Rs.23,123 crore, focuses on health infrastructure development, including Pediatric Care.
The Fifteenth Finance Commission (FC-XV) has recommended grants of Rs. 70,051 crores through local governments for specific health sector components, accepted by the Union Government. These grants will strengthen the health system at the grassroots level over the five years from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26.
The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) addresses regional imbalances in tertiary healthcare services and supports the augmentation of facilities for quality medical education. The scheme has approved 22 new AIIMS and 75 projects for upgrading existing Government Medical Colleges/Institutions.
Furthermore, the Central Government is facilitating the transformation of the School of Nursing into the College of Nursing and has approved 157 nursing colleges under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the Development of Nursing Services. Additionally, funds have been released to state governments under the scheme for the upgradation of existing medical colleges, resulting in an increased capacity of 700 MBBS seats across 14 Medical Colleges.
