Chennai: The Health Budget 2021-22 is a step in the right direction, especially in the backdrop of the Covid pandemic, said NITI Aayog’s Vice Chairman Dr Rajiv Kumar and Public Policy specialist, Urvashi Prasad.
“It is important to view the budget in the context of the various Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan packages announced by the government of India, which also include several short-term and longer-term measures for strengthening the health sector.”
“Production-Linked Incentive schemes have been announced for boosting domestic manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Mission Covid Suraksha has also been launched to promote the development and testing of indigenous vaccine candidates,” they said.
They also lauded the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package and the ‘One Nation One Card’ scheme, that has enabled beneficiaries, especially 130 million migrant workers and their families, to access subsidised grains from anywhere in the country.
The substantive allocation for the newly launched Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban) is especially commendable as access to adequate, good quality water supply has major positive externalities for the health sector, they said.
“Another important public health related announcement in Budget 2021 was the government’s decision to expand the coverage of the pneumococcal vaccine across the country. Once universalised, this indigenously developed vaccine could save up to 50,000 lives annually,” they added.
On India’s vaccination drive, they noted that the Finance Minister has made a special allocation of Rs 35,000 crore for the Covid-19 vaccine in 2021–22, which could be increased if required.