Elections 2024: What kind of healthcare do the party manifestos promise?

Top national parties have made hefty promises in the healthcare sector with focus on access and affordability

As the 2024 elections draw near, major political parties have unveiled their manifestos, outlining promises to voters. Among other things, many have focussed on healthcare.

A significant challenge facing India's healthcare sector is the limited investment in primary healthcare, leading to insufficient infrastructure and personnel, as well as slow progress in key health metrics. This deficiency pushes people towards private healthcare services, placing a heavier financial burden on citizens.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MohFW) was allocated Rs 90,658.63 crore in the interim budget for FY25, 12.5 percent more than  the Rs 80,518 crore that was allocated per the revised budget estimate for 2023-24 .

Inadequate investment in public health infrastructure can hinder healthcare accessibility and negatively impact health indicators. The National Health Policy of 2017 recommended that total government expenditure on public health should be at least 2.5 percent of GDP. However, per the Economic Survey of 2022-23, actual public health expenditure was only 1.6 percent of GDP in 2020-21, and estimated to be 2.1 percent in 2022-23.

According to National Health Accounts, which captures both public and private health expenditure in the country, in 2018-19, only 4.8 percent of  government expenditure (combining central and state governments) was allocated to healthcare. This falls below that of countries like Malaysia (8.5 percent), Russia (10.2 percent), Brazil (10.5 percent), and South Africa (15.3 percent), as noted by the WHO. Developed economies like the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Germany allocate a significantly higher percentage of their government expenditure to healthcare.

Nonetheless, the new promises around healthcare from the 2024 general election manifestos are as follows:

Bharatiya Janata Party
The party claims that more than 34 crore citizens are receiving free health insurance of Rs 5 lakh under the government's Ayushman Bharat Yojana currently. The party also emphasises that it has increased the number of  AIIMS and Jan Aushadhi Kendras.

The new promises aim to put healthcare accessibility and quality in the front seat. Firstly, by providing sanitary pads at Rs 1, there's a focus on improving women's health care. Secondly, initiatives will target the prevention and reduction of ailments like anaemia, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and osteoporosis, with a specific goal to eliminate cervical cancer.

Ayushman Bharat will be expanded to cover non-EWS and SC/ST senior citizens, and regular Ayush camps will offer elders holistic healthcare rooted in traditional practices. The manifesto also promises to eradicate malnutrition among tribal children, and provide comprehensive healthcare in tribal areas, including combating sickle cell anaemia.

Additionally, there will be an increase in medical education seats, strengthened healthcare facilities like Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and district hospitals, and an expanded network of Jan Aushadhi Kendras for low-cost medicines. An emergency and trauma care programme will be launched, alongside intensified efforts to eliminate diseases like TB, leprosy, measles, and rubella.

Support will be extended to Indian vaccine manufacturers to enhance production and distribution, and there will be a focus on enhancing training for paramedics, technicians, pharmacists, and nurses, as well as expanding mental health initiatives like Manas and Manodarpan, alongside traditional practices such as yoga and meditation.

Indian National Congress

The Congress has promised to increase its support for vulnerable populations, such as senior citizens, widows, and persons with disabilities, by raising the monthly pension contribution under the National Social Assistance Programme from the current Rs 200-500, to Rs 1,000.  The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, will be reviewed to address any shortcomings and strengthen its enforcement.

Also, constitutional amendments will be pursued to extend protection against discrimination  on grounds of disability, impairment, or sexual orientation.

The recognition of Braille and Sign Language as languages will be formalised, and efforts will be made to establish a National Centre of Research and Excellence for Special Education to ensure quality education  for children with special needs and disabilities.

Representation for persons with disabilities in local government bodies will be ensured, and strict enforcement of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, will be implemented. Furthermore, a scheme will be initiated to establish assisted living and care centres for the disabled nationwide through public-private partnerships.

The CPM (Communist Party of India-Marxist) has promised to increase public health expenditure to 5 percent of GDP, and reduce out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare to below 25 percent.  The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), a Tamil Nadu-based regional party, has promised to increase medical insurance for families below the poverty line to Rs 10 lakh, and to allocate three percent of the nation's GDP towards public health programmes.

Also read: Doles vs Development: The manifestos of BJP and Congress are for 2 different Indias