25% drop in out-of-pocket health expense in 10 yrs

THE total health expenditure in India has risen to 3.8% of the GDP, still lower than the tenyear peak of 4%.

- KAVITA BAJELI-DATT

Notably, outof-pocket expenditure, which refers to payments made by individuals and families, has decreased from 64.2% in 2013-14 to 39.4% in 2021-22.

The National Health Accounts Estimates for 2020-21 and 2021-22 was released on Wednesday by the Union Health Ministry, which claim to be based on an enhanced methodology that provides a more comprehensive and precise account of the government's health expenditures.

Over the years, the government's contribution to health expenditures has increased significantly. Specifically, the government's share in health expenditures has risen from 1.13 per cent of the GDP in 2014-15 to 1.84 per cent in 2021-22.

Additionally, the share of government health expenditures in total health expenditures has also shown a significant increase, climbing from 29.0 per cent in 2014-15 to 48.0 per cent in 2021-22.