See Full Document Text
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 4637
TOBE ANSWERED ON20TH MARCH, 2026
OUT-OF-POCKETEXPENDITURE ONHEALTH
4637. DR. KAKOLI GHOSHDASTIDAR:
Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased tostate:
(a) the latest Out-Of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) on health as a percentage of the total
healthexpenditure of the country;
(b) whether India's OOPE share in healthexpenditure is amongthe highest globally, if so,
the detailsthereof; and
(c) whether any steps have been taken by the Government to reduce OOPE on health, if
so, the detailsthereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY
WELFARE
(SMT.ANUPRIYAPATEL)
(a)AsperNationalHealthAccounts(NHA)estimates,theOut-Of-Pocketexpenditure(OOPE)
as a percentage of Total Health Expenditure (THE) has been declining continuously from
62.6%in2014-15to39.4%in2021-22.
(b)AsperNHAestimates,Indiaranks69thinthelistof189countriesinOOPE
percapitainpurchasingpowerparity(int$)for year2021-22.
(c) The Government is making efforts to reduce the OOPE as a percentage of Total Health
Expenditure (THE). There hasbeen a significant increase in Government Health Expenditure
(GHE) aspercentage of THE,which has increased from 29.0% in2014-15 to 48.0% in 2021-
22.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has rolled out and implemented various schemes and
programs to provide accessible, affordable and quality healthcare services to all, including
those in rural areas. These keyschemes/programs have contributed in reducing out-of-pocket
expendituresinavailing healthservices, some of these initiativesare below:-
National Health Mission (NHM): Under the NHM, the Government has taken many steps
towards universal health coverage by supporting the State Governments in providing
accessible and affordable healthcare to people. The NHM provides support for improvement
in health infrastructure, availability of adequate human resources to man health facilities, to
improve availabilityandaccessibility toqualityhealthcare especially forthe underserved and
marginalized groups in rural areas. National Free Drugs Serviceinitiative andFree diagnosticService has been rolled out to ensure availability of essential drugs and diagnostic facilities
andtoreduce out of pocketexpenditure of the patientsvisiting public health facilities.
Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) : As reported on AAM portal, a total of 1.85 lakh AAMs
have been established and operationalized by transforming existing Sub-Health Centres and
Primary Health Centres in rural and urban areas. The purpose of AAMs are to deliver the
expanded range of comprehensive primary healthcare services that includes preventive,
promotive, curative, palliative and rehabilitative services encompassing Reproductive and
Child care services, Communicable diseases, Non-communicable diseases and all health
issues, which are universal, free andcloser tothe community.
Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) is a Centrally
Sponsored Scheme (CSS) with some Central Sector Components (CS) with an outlay of Rs.
64,180 crores for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26. The measures under the PM-ABHIM focus
ondeveloping capacitiesof healthsystems andinstitutions across the continuum of care at all
levels, primary, secondary and tertiary, to prepare health systems in responding effectively to
the current andfuture pandemics /disasters.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) aims to provide health
cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to
more than 12 crore families constituting the economically vulnerable bottom 40% of India’s
population.States/UTsimplementingAB-PMJAYhave furtherexpandedthebeneficiarybase,
at their own cost. Additionally, the scheme has beenexpanded tocover6crore senior citizens
of age 70 years and above belonging to 4.5 crore families irrespective of their socio-
economicstatus underAB-PMJAYwith VayVandanaCard.
Besides, quality generic medicines are made available at affordable prices to all under
Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in collaboration with the State
Governments. Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT)
Pharmacystores have been set upinsome hospitals/institutions.
***