The country’s healthcare system and parameters have improved a lot during the last decade. We implemented the world’s largest insurance scheme, improved the doctor-patient ratio and also started overcoming problems like maternal-infant mortality and the burden of various diseases.

But to reach the level of advanced healthcare systems like the US, Japan or the UK, we will need to invest more in this sector. According to the medical journal Lancet, government spending on health has declined to just 1.2 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in the last few years.

However, the government claims that the expenditure has increased. It rose from 1.13 per cent of GDP in 2014-15 to 1.35 per cent in 2019-20. According to the National Health Policy, 2017, it is expected to reach 2.5 per cent by 2025.

Apart from investment, India is also facing a huge shortage of specialist doctors. For example, apart from oncologists, cardiologists, endocrinologists, pulmonologists, there is also a huge shortage of super specialists like interventional cardiologists, gynecological oncologists.

Oncologist Dr. Ashok Vaidya says, “The number of cancer patients in our country is much higher than the number of doctors. If we have to fight any disease, then first of all there should be enough doctors.”

Not only this, the country is also facing the dangers of changing lifestyle and environment. People’s physical activities are decreasing, air pollution is increasing, the weather is becoming hotter due to climate change and diseases spreading from animals are also increasing. All these are big dangers.

Due to these reasons, diseases like heart disease, diabetes and obesity are increasing and globally, India is far ahead in terms of these dangers. Experts say that to deal with such challenges, the government should focus on increasing awareness among the public and increasing the number of beds, doctors, nurses and technicians in hospitals.

J.P. Nadda, 63 Years: BJP, Health and Family Welfare Minister

Continuing progress

Born in Patna, Nadda obtained an LLB degree from Himachal Pradesh University and from here he joined ABVP and entered political life. In 1991, he became the president of BJP’s youth wing BJYM.

took care of health and party

Nadda, a national-level swimmer, was the health minister at the Centre from 2014 to 2019 before taking over as BJP national president. During his first term, he launched Mission Indradhanush, which aimed at complete immunization of children against various diseases. A solid campaign against TB was launched under his leadership.

Anupriya Patel, Minister of State, 43 years: Apna Dal (Sonelal)

Dedicated Associate:

Anupriya had earlier, as Minister of State for Health, supported the Surrogacy Bill, which banned paid surrogacy in India.