Universal health scheme boon to people: Expert

Vijayawada: The economic progress of any country depends upon the health of people, said Critical Care Specialist Dr Y Ramesh Babu while addressing the health education programme at Vasavya Nursing Home with Dr Maru in the chair on Saturday.

Dr Ramesh Babu recalled that the World Health Organisation gave a call for Universal Health Coverage for all about which everyone should be aware of. Universal health coverage is applicable to all irrespective of gender, age or economic status to give them protection in case of ill-health.

"The Universal Health Scheme is linked with the economic progress of the country," he said adding that if people were healthy, the productivity would also be good that leads to the economic growth of the country.

Expressing displeasure over the expenditure on the health of citizens by successive governments, he said that the Indian government was earmarking only 1.5 per cent of its budget on health whereas the US administration spends 18 per cent of its budget.

The Andhra Pradesh government has also earmarked Rs 8,400 crore for health in the last budget which is meager, he said and deplored the fact that 20 per cent of sub-centres had not even drinking water facilities and only 36 per cent of primary health centres have operation theatres in the State. The physician said that the Indians were spending on an average 62 per cent of their income on health.