MP Govt Allocates INR 21,444 Cr to Health Sector Promising a Major Overhaul

A significant portion of the INR 21,444 Cr allocated to the health sector is assigned for various essential services and infrastructure projects.

The Madhya Pradesh Govt has allocated INR 21,444 Cr to healthcare, marking a 34% increase from the previous year's budget. On Wednesday, Madhya Pradesh Deputy CM and Finance Minister Jagdish Devda presented the state budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, revealing a significant focus on the health sector.

While presenting the budget in the state assembly, Minister Devda emphasized the critical importance of health, asserting, "Health is the capital of human life. Our government is continuously increasing investment in health facilities."

He noted that the government is making concerted efforts to implement the Indian Public Health Standard (IPHS) across the state. To this end, over 46,000 new positions have been created to strengthen the institutional framework and ensure that health services are accessible to a broader population.

Fund Allocation

The budget highlights expanding medical education and healthcare facilities. In 2003, Madhya Pradesh had only five government medical colleges. Today, 14 government medical colleges are operating in the state, as informed by the Minister to ET.

The budget for 2024-25 includes plans to open three more government medical colleges in Mandsaur, Neemuch, and Seoni. The state government has also announced plans to establish eight more medical colleges over the next two years.

Further, a significant portion of the INR 21,444 Cr allocated to the health sector is assigned for various essential services and infrastructure projects.

The National Health Mission, both urban and rural, will receive INR 4,500 Cr. Moreover, INR 2,104 Cr is allocated based on the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission to bolster the health sector.

District and Civil hospitals, along with dispensaries, will benefit from INR 1,680 Cr, while INR 1,413 Cr will be set aside to establish and operate primary health centers. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, also known as Ayushman Bharat, is allocated INR 981 Cr to ensure comprehensive healthcare coverage.

In addition, the budget provides INR 668 Cr for sub-health centers, INR 500 Cr for the Mukhyamantri Shramik Seva Maternity Assistance scheme, and INR 490 Cr for additional incentives to ASHA workers.

For the Ayushman Bharat scheme the MP government allocated an amount of INR 400 Cr, specifically for non-SECC (Socio-Economic Caste Census) beneficiaries. While INR 365 Cr will be spent on a comprehensive, multipurpose disease control program.

In addition to this, a sum of INR 350 Cr is earmarked for the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission.

For the construction of community health, sub-health, and primary health centers a budget of INR 326 Cr has been finalized and INR 250 Cr for the construction of hospital and dispensary buildings. The government also granted INR 252 Cr to manage and treat cold fever.

Focus on AYUSH & Medical Education

Significant funds are allocated to support AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) and medical education initiatives.

AYUSH hospitals and dispensaries are allocated INR 405 Cr, while AYUSH colleges receive INR 115 Cr. The National AYUSH Mission will be supported with INR 102 Cr.

INR 2,452 Cr is allocated to enhance medical education and healthcare infrastructure in medical colleges and associated hospitals. Specific funding for medical colleges in Ratlam, Datia, Shivpuri, and Satna amounts to INR 631 Cr.

Furthermore, INR 400 Cr is designated for constructing new state-aided medical colleges and an additional INR 400 Cr to establish new medical colleges.

The budget also allocates INR 201 Cr to strengthen postgraduate courses in medical colleges, INR 120 Cr to establish a super specialty hospital under the PMSSY scheme, and INR 115 Cr to increase the number of MBBS seats.

The Directorate of Medical Education will receive INR 101 Cr, while the Chhindwara Institute of Medical Science is allocated INR 100 Cr.

The state government continues to support the victims of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, with INR 145 Cr allocated for Gas Relief Health Services.