How India has failed to budget for health in the past 75 years

Healthcare has found little mention in Budget speeches over 75 years. Its near collapse in the face of the pandemic today is a result of this

Shortage of ICU beds, oxygen, ventilators, vaccines, doctors, nurses and crematorium sp­a­ce in India has dominated headlines around the world in the past two weeks with Covid-19 cases surging beyond control and the government failing to deliver. Yes, election rallies, Kumbh Mela, blatant flouting of social distancing and mask protoc­ols coupled with a messy vac­c­ina­tion process are said to be responsible for the health crisis of colossal proportions that India is facing today. But an analysis of Budget speeches made by finance ministers over 75 years also offers a glimpse of how low on the priority list healthcare has featured