7 months ago
Jan Swasthya Abhiyan demands health budget increase
Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA) is a group that wants the Indian government to spend more money on health.
They say the government promised to spend 2.5% of the country's money on health by 2025, but it's only spending 1.15%.
So, they want the government to double the health budget and give most of it to the states.
They think this is important because the states are already spending a lot on health.
The government has been spending less on health since Covid, and JSA wants them to keep their promise.
Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA) demands doubling of the Union health budget to meet National Health Policy 2017 commitments.
Current health spending is 1.15% of GDP, far below the 2.5% target set for 2025.
JSA proposes transferring at least two-thirds of the Union Health Budget to states, as they bear two-thirds of the public health expenditure burden.
Post-Covid, Union government spending on health has declined in real terms, making it difficult to achieve the NHP 2017 goal.
The demand is endorsed by 350 organizations and individuals, highlighting the urgency of the budget priorities.
- Who
- Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA) and 350 endorsing organizations
- What
- Demand to double the Union health budget and transfer two-thirds to states
- Where
- India
- When
- As the Union Budget 2026–27 approaches
- Why
- To meet the commitments of the National Health Policy 2017 and address the declining health spending post-Covid
Key facts
- Organizations Endorsing Demand
- 350
- Current Health Spending
- 1.15% of GDP
- National Health Policy 2017 Target
- 2.5% of GDP by 2025
- Proposed Budget Allocation Increase
- Double the current allocation
- Union Government Spending Trend
- Declining in real terms post-Covid
Quotes
Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA)
Civil society group advocating for health policy improvements.
“It remains alarmingly low at 1.15 per cent.”
thehindubusinessline.com
“India cannot build a healthy, productive society on stagnant and shrinking public health budgets. The Union Budget is not just an accounting exercise — it is a statement of priorities. If the government is serious about ‘Health for All’, it must make an urgent course correction: strengthen public systems, protect vulnerable communities, halt the privatisation trajectory, and ensure that no one is pushed into debt or denied care because public services were underfunded.”
thehindubusinessline.com
Jean Dreze
Development economist.
“India is one of the world champions of public under-spending in healthcare. For decades, public expenditure on healthcare has hovered around 1 per cent of the GDP, compared with a world average of 3 per cent in developing countries today. The result of this accumulated under-investment is a huge deficit in public health facilities. Universal healthcare cannot be achieved without a serious effort to address this deficit and transform healthcare standards in the public sector.”
thehindubusinessline.com
Indranil
Co-convener with the JSA National Secretariat.
“We note with deep concern that post Covid-19, the Union government’s spending on health has continuously declined in real terms, making it impossible for the NHP 2017 goal to be realised by 2025. To fulfil the NHP commitment, the Union allocations for health in Budget 2026–27 should be doubled. It is the same government which made the promise, and now they should honour it.”
thehindubusinessline.com
Richa Chintan
Co-convener, JSA National Secretariat.
“Even within limited allocations, the thrust continues towards private partnerships and insurance-based models such as PMJAY. This is happening despite extensive evidence that shows limits of insurance-led healthcare models in ensuring access and equity.”
thehindubusinessline.com
Ravi Duggal
Sociologist and health researcher.
“During and after Covid, States have sustained higher spending levels despite constraints. This commitment must be supported, not undermined. Governments’ own commitment in the national health policy of 2017 was that 40 per cent of public expenditure should be the Union government’s responsibility. This translates to 1 per cent of GDP or ₹3,50,000 crores at today’s prices. That’s what we expect the Union Government Budget to commit.”
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
Centre should increase Budget allocation of health in line with promise of 2.5% of GDP: JSA
Jan Swasthya Abhiyan demands doubling of Union health budget
Union Budget 2026: Gujarat Inc. Calls for Reforms, Capex Push and Policies to Accelerate Sustainable Growth
