Prez concerned over low expenditure on health

Concerned over low expenditure on health, President Pranab Mukherjee today asked South-East Asia Region nations to ensure highest quality medicare for their people.
Inaugurating a meeting of Ministers of Health and a Session of WHO Regional Committee for South-East Asia at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Mukherjee noted with concern that 46 per cent people in the region lived below poverty line.
He said nations need to adopt a multi-dimensional approach to build conducive environment and to ensure highest quality of health.
"An ideal health care delivery system should be accessible to all in the Region. Considering the current lack of access to quality health care at an affordable cost for the majority of the population in the Region, the proposed universal health coverage seems to be a very plausible solution," he said.

The President said countries need to strengthen health systems based on primary health care approach while focusing on public health based on domestic resources.
"It is also a matter of concern that South East Asia Region registers the lowest total expenditure on health as a percentage of gross domestic product (3.8 pc) and per capita total expenditure on health as per World Health Statistics 2009, with 84.4 pc out of pocket expenditure...I am sure the meeting of Health Ministers of the region...Would map the way forward for the entire Region," he said.

Mukherjee said strategic investments in medical education and training would be needed to enhance availability of scientifically credible professionals for all communities.

Besides, existing inefficiencies in supply chain and logistic management of drugs and vaccines should be addressed on a priority basis, he said.
There is need for adopting detailed regional action plan to control non-communicable diseases that lead to mortality globally and in the region, with around 7.9 million dying every year, accounting for 55 per cent of all deaths in the region.