India’s standing on most indicators of health has not improved, and the government has failed to play the role that was expected from it, says Vikas Kumar
Public health was one of the priority areas of the UPA government’s common minimum programme. But by the end of the regime, it has been another saga of broken promises and missed opportunities. And it’s thanks to health minister A. Ramadoss, who has squandered his precious tenure on petty squabbles with former AIIMS director, P. Venugopal, and hogged the limelight for all the wrong reasons instead of channelising his energy towards completion of six new AIIMS. Increasing public spending on health to at least 2-3 % of GDP was ambitious target of United Progressive Alliance. And the result is – a mere 15% increase in the allocation in the budget to Rs.165.34 billion.
The Common Minimum Programme states, “The UPA government will take all steps to ensure availability of life-saving drugs at reasonable prices. Special attention will be paid to the poorer sections in the matter of healthcare. The feasibility of reviving public sector units set up for the manufacture of critical bulk drugs will be re-examined so as to bring down and keep a check on prices of drugs.” However, Chemical and Fertiliser minister Ram Vilas Paswan admitted his failure to tame the pharma lobby to B&E, “The lobby is very strong. We had been successful in including 74 drugs in the price control list. However, we are shifting our attention to opening more and more government dispensaries.”
Public health was one of the priority areas of the UPA government’s common minimum programme. But by the end of the regime, it has been another saga of broken promises and missed opportunities. And it’s thanks to health minister A. Ramadoss, who has squandered his precious tenure on petty squabbles with former AIIMS director, P. Venugopal, and hogged the limelight for all the wrong reasons instead of channelising his energy towards completion of six new AIIMS. Increasing public spending on health to at least 2-3 % of GDP was ambitious target of United Progressive Alliance. And the result is – a mere 15% increase in the allocation in the budget to Rs.165.34 billion.
The Common Minimum Programme states, “The UPA government will take all steps to ensure availability of life-saving drugs at reasonable prices. Special attention will be paid to the poorer sections in the matter of healthcare. The feasibility of reviving public sector units set up for the manufacture of critical bulk drugs will be re-examined so as to bring down and keep a check on prices of drugs.” However, Chemical and Fertiliser minister Ram Vilas Paswan admitted his failure to tame the pharma lobby to B&E, “The lobby is very strong. We had been successful in including 74 drugs in the price control list. However, we are shifting our attention to opening more and more government dispensaries.”
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2012.
An Initiative of IIPM, Malay Chaudhuri
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
and Arindam Chaudhuri (Renowned Management Guru and Economist).
For More IIPM Info, Visit below mentioned IIPM articles.
Zee Business Best B-School Survey 2012
Prof. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year
IIPM’s Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri - A Man For The Society….
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM B-School Facebook Page
IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
IIPM : The B-School with a Human FaceProf. Arindam Chaudhuri’s Session at IMA Indore
IIPM IN FINANCIAL TIMES, UK. FEATURE OF THE WEEK
IIPM strong hold on Placement : 10000 Students Placed in last 5 year
IIPM’s Management Consulting Arm-Planman Consulting
Professor Arindam Chaudhuri - A Man For The Society….
IIPM: Indian Institute of Planning and Management
IIPM makes business education truly global
Management Guru Arindam Chaudhuri
Rajita Chaudhuri-The New Age Woman
IIPM B-School Facebook Page
IIPM Global Exposure
IIPM Best B School India
IIPM B-School Detail
IIPM Links
