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L to R: Dr Pronab Sen, Mr Dinesh Trivedi
(MP, AITMC), Ramesh Chandran (GPPI-CPR), Nidhi Dubey (GHS),
Mr Keshav Desiraju
|
The Union Budget
2018 has proposed a host of measures which is expected to transform the Indian
healthcare system. The hallmark of the Budget pertaining to health insurance is
the announcement of the National Health Protection Scheme. The budget has also
allocated ₹1,200 crores to the Ayushman Bharat Programme in order to convert
1.5 lakh primary health centres (PHCs) to health and wellness centres focusing
on disease prevention. These recent developments provide an opportunity for
India to accelerate its health gains. The pathway for implementation of these
targets and programmes, however, remains uncertain.
To discuss the
role of political leaders in ensuring existing targets are met and planning how
best to give public health goals like immunization and disease eradication the
political stimulus they need, GHS and GPPI-CPR organized a roundtable on 21
March 2018. Mr Keshav Desiraju, Former Health Secretary, Government of India,
and Dr Pronab Sen Country Director, International Growth Centre (IGC) discussed
this issue in detail through their presentations.
