Out-of-pocket spending on healthcare in India has declined to 39.4 per cent from 62.6 per cent over the past decade, Union Health Minister JP Nadda told Parliament. Replying during Question Hour on affordable healthcare, he said the reduction indicates wider access to government-supported health services.
The Minister outlined several initiatives aimed at reducing treatment costs, including the provision of free medicines and diagnostic services at district hospitals, primary health centres and community health centres under the National Health Mission. He also referred to the nationwide network of Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi outlets, which supply low-cost generic medicines.
Nadda further said that the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) provides cashless treatment during hospitalisation, while the AMRIT (Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment) scheme offers branded medicines at prices at least 50 per cent lower than market rates.