The Fifteenth Finance Commission health grant has the potential to create a robust health ecosystem in Panchayati Raj Institutions. Explain (200 Words)
Refer - The Hindu
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IAS Parliament 2 years
KEY POINTS
· A potentially game-changing and transformative development went by, almost unnoticed the release of Rs 8,453.92 crore to 19 States, as a health grant to rural and urban local bodies (ULBs), by the Department of Expenditure, the Ministry of Finance.
· This grant is equal to 18.5% of the budget allocation of the Union Department of Health and Family Welfare for FY 2021-22 and around 55% of the second COVID-19 emergency response package announced in 2021.
· The government funding for urban primary health services was not channelled through the State Health Department and the ULBs (which fall under different departments/systems in various States) did not make a commensurate increase in allocation for health.
· The reasons included a resource crunch or a lack of clarity on responsibilities related to health services or completely different spending priorities.
· Most often, it was a varied combination of these factors. The well-intentioned legislative step inadvertently enfeebled the health services more in the urban areas than the rural settings.
· Regular outbreaks of dengue and chikungunya and the struggle people have had to undergo to seek COVID-19 consultation and testing services in two waves of the novel coronavirus pandemic are some examples.
· Awareness of citizens about the responsibilities of local bodies in health-care services should be raised. Such an approach can work as an empowering tool to enable accountability in the system.
· The Fifteenth Finance Commission health grants should not be treated as a ‘replacement’ for health spending by the local bodies, which should alongside increase their own health spending regularly to make a meaningful impact.
· local bodies remain ‘health greenfield’ areas. The young administrators in charge of such RLBs and ULBs and the motivated councillors and Panchayati raj institution members need to grab this opportunity to develop innovative health models.
· However, when it comes to local bodies, this has to be a blend of incremental financial allocations supplemented by elected representatives showing health leadership, multiple agencies coordinating with each other, increased citizen engagement in health.
K. V. A 2 years
Kindly review
IAS Parliament 2 years
Good attempt. Keep Writing.
Hina Katariya 2 years
Please review
IAS Parliament 2 years
Good attempt. Keep Writing.
Samy uvaraj 2 years
Review please
Thankyou
IAS Parliament 2 years
Try to include data to suppport your arguments. Keep Writing.
