Out-of-pocket healthcare costs fell sharply over past decade: Nadda

Nadda further informed that institutional deliveries have risen to nearly 89 per cent, reflecting strengthened maternal healthcare systems

Union Health Minister J P Nadda on Saturday said India has witnessed a substantial reduction in out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare over the past decade, easing the financial burden on households, particularly among economically-vulnerable sections.

He made these remarks while addressing the 8th convocation ceremony of Swami Rama Himalayan University in Dehradun.

Highlighting the transformative strides made in India's health sector over the past 11 years, Nadda stated that the number of AIIMS has increased from 6 to 23, substantially expanding access to advanced tertiary healthcare services across the country.

He further informed that institutional deliveries have risen to nearly 89 per cent, reflecting strengthened maternal healthcare systems.

 

Emphasizing financial protection in healthcare, Nadda spoke about Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which provides health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family.

He stated that the scheme now benefits nearly 62 crore people, covering approximately 40 per cent of India's population.

Referring to evidence from reputed international medical journals and independent evaluations, he noted that AB-PMJAY has significantly improved access to timely cancer care and strengthened financial protection for eligible beneficiaries across the country.

"India has witnessed a substantial reduction in out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare over the past decade, easing the financial burden on households, particularly among economically vulnerable sections," Nadda said.

Despite accounting for nearly one-sixth of the global population, India has made significant progress in reducing malaria incidence and mortality through sustained vector-borne disease control efforts in line with WHO-reported trends, he highlighted.

Underscoring the importance of comprehensive primary healthcare, the minister informed that more than 1.82 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been operationalized nationwide as the first point of contact for citizens.

Of these, 50,000 centres have already been certified under National Quality Assurance Standards, with a target to scale up to 1 lakh NQAS-certified Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in the near future.

Nadda noted that the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has declined from 130 per lakh live births a decade ago to 88 per lakh live births, while the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has reduced from 39 per thousand live births to 27 per thousand live births, demonstrating sustained progress in maternal and child health outcomes.

Citing estimates from the World Health Organization and UN agencies, Nadda stated that India has achieved a significantly faster decline in the Under-5 Mortality Rate over the past decade compared to the global average, underscoring the impact of focused policy interventions and expanded healthcare access.

Referring to tuberculosis control efforts, he noted that India has recorded a substantial decline in TB incidence, outperforming the global average reduction through sustained public health measures and community-based interventions.

The Union Health Minister further highlighted India's historic COVID-19 vaccination drive, under which more than 220 crore vaccine doses, including precautionary and booster doses, have been administered nationwide, demonstrating the scale, resilience, and efficiency of India's public health system.