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Government Allocates ₹15.27 Lakh Crore for Major Sectors in Union Budget 2024

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News on Governance 9 ArdorComm Media Group Government Allocates ₹15.27 Lakh Crore for Major Sectors in Union Budget 2024

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her seventh Union Budget yesterday , allocating ₹15.27 lakh crore for major sectors such as defense, rural development, social welfare, and commerce. This budget marks the first of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s third term. Key Allocations and Expenditures Defense Allocation: ₹4.54 lakh crore, a significant decrease from ₹6.21 lakh crore in the interim budget. Capital Outlay: ₹1.62 lakh crore for military capital expenditures, including weapons, ammunition, aircraft, and warships. Rural Development Allocation: ₹2.66 lakh crore. MGNREGA Funding: Increased from ₹60,000 crore in FY24 to ₹86,000 crore in FY25. Agriculture and Allied Activities Allocation: ₹1.52 lakh crore. Focus: Sustainable practices, digital infrastructure, and increased production. Home Affairs Allocation: ₹1.51 lakh crore. Specific Allocations: ₹42,277 crore for Jammu and Kashmir. ₹5,985 crore for Andaman and Nicobar. ₹5,862 crore for Chandigarh. ₹5,958 crore for Ladakh. Education Allocation: ₹1.26 lakh crore. Additional Allocation: ₹1.48 lakh crore for schooling, employment, and skilling. IT and Telecom Department of Telecommunications: ₹1.16 lakh crore. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology: ₹22,000 crore. Health Allocation: ₹89,287 crore. Pharmaceutical Industry: ₹2,143 crore. Notable Announcement: Exemption of three more cancer medications from customs duties. Energy Allocation: ₹68,679 crore. New and Renewable Energy: ₹19,100 crore. Solar Power (Grid): ₹8,500 crore. Government Revenue and Expenditures Revenue Sources: Borrowings and other liabilities: 27%. Income tax revenue: 19%. GST and other taxes: 18%. Corporation taxes: 17%. Expenditures: States’ share of taxes and duties: 21%. Interest payments: 19%. Central sector schemes: 16%. Subsidies, pensions, and other payments: 19%. Additional Highlights Custom Duty Reductions: Three cancer drugs and two components for manufacturing X-ray machines. Tax Regime Tweaks: Raised standard deduction from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000, saving salaried employees up to ₹17,500. First-Time Professionals: One month’s salary as Provident Fund contribution for first job holders, benefiting 210 lakh youngsters. Capital Gains Exemption: Limit raised to ₹1.25 lakh per year. Angel Tax Reduction: For all investor classes. This budget reflects the government’s priorities across various sectors, balancing between infrastructure development, social welfare, and fiscal prudence.

Union Budget 2024: Health Sector Sees Marginal Increase, NHM Allocation Rises Amid Infrastructure Cuts

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News on Health 9 ArdorComm Media Group Union Budget 2024: Health Sector Sees Marginal Increase, NHM Allocation Rises Amid Infrastructure Cuts

The Union Budget 2024, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, revealed a modest 1.7% increase in the health sector allocation, bringing the total outlay to Rs 87,656 crore for the fiscal year 2024-25. Despite the increase, major announcements for the health sector were noticeably absent. One of the significant allocations was for the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme, which provides a Rs 5 lakh cover to the poorest 40% of the population. The allocation for this scheme increased slightly from Rs 7,200 crore last year to Rs 7,300 crore this year. The National Health Mission (NHM) received a substantial boost, with its allocation rising to Rs 36,000 crore from Rs 29,000 crore last year. The NHM focuses on reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health services, non-communicable diseases control, and enhancing access to comprehensive primary health care. However, the PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) saw a reduction in its budget from Rs 4,200 crore last year to Rs 3,200 crore this year. The revised estimate for this mission was even lower at Rs 2,100 crore. PM-ABHIM was launched to improve health infrastructure, including health centers, labs, and critical care hospital blocks, especially during the pandemic. Another infrastructure mission, the PM Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, also faced budget cuts, with its allocation dropping from Rs 3,365 crore last year to Rs 2,200 crore this year. This scheme supports the establishment of new AIIMS and the upgradation of district hospitals. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission (ABDM), which aims to create a digital health record platform for every citizen, saw its budget reduced from Rs 341 crore last year to Rs 200 crore this year. Despite this, the government plans to roll out its U-Win vaccine management portal as part of a 100-day plan, linking it to ABHA accounts for seamless health records. The tele-mental health program’s allocation decreased from Rs 133.7 crore to Rs 90 crore. This program was launched in the 2022 Budget to address mental health issues post-Covid-19 through a network of 23 mental health centers of excellence under NIMHANS. In contrast to the interim Budget’s significant health sector announcements, such as expanding the Ayushman Bharat insurance scheme and promoting HPV vaccination, the current Budget made only minor mentions. The Finance Minister’s speech included a reduction in custom duty on three cancer drugs and components for manufacturing X-ray machines.

Nearly 10% of Health Care Facilities in Punjab Operate Without Required PPCB Permission

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News on Health 8 ArdorComm Media Group Nearly 10% of Health Care Facilities in Punjab Operate Without Required PPCB Permission

Nearly 10% of healthcare facilities (HCFs) in Punjab are operating without the necessary permission from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), as required under the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules 2016. This raises concerns about the enforcement of these rules. The state has a total of 14,715 identified healthcare facilities, including government and private establishments, as well as veterinary hospitals and clinics. However, only 13,301 of these facilities have been granted the required authorization under the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules 2016, leaving 1,414 healthcare facilities operating without approval. The PPCB shared these details in an interim report, which was sought by the Punjab State Human Rights Commission after it took suo motu cognizance of a TOI report highlighting healthcare facilities operating without the necessary authorization. Healthcare facilities that generate, collect, receive, store, transport, treat, dispose of, or handle bio-medical waste are required to obtain authorization from PPCB, as per Rule 10 of the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules 2016. The rules also outline penalties for any violations related to the management of bio-medical waste. All 14,715 facilities collectively generate 24.65 tonnes per day (TPD) of bio-medical waste. Individual healthcare facilities conduct the segregation of this waste at the source. Following segregation, waste is collected and transported to designated common bio-medical waste treatment facilities (CBWTFs) for treatment and disposal. The pollution board monitors the process through 16 regional/field offices across the state. The board submitted that bio-medical waste generated by facilities not having authorization is being regularly collected, transported, treated, and disposed of by CBWTFs under separate agreements executed between CBWTFs and healthcare facilities. Six CBWTFs are operating in the state. Of these, five are authorized to collect, transport, treat, and dispose of bio-medical waste in accordance with the provisions of the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules 2016. One facility has been authorized to collect and transport waste to four CBWTFs for treatment and disposal due to technical reasons, and a case regarding this matter is pending before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The board informed that notices have been issued to all healthcare facilities that have failed to obtain authorization or renewal of authorization as required under the rules. The matter is also being taken up by the board with the Department of Health, Department of Animal Husbandry, and Department of Rural Development and Panchayats to issue directions to healthcare facilities under their jurisdictions to obtain authorization under Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules 2016. The pollution board claimed that it is “diligently” implementing bio-medical rules in the state and has adopted measures to ensure that healthcare facilities operating without authorization obtain the same. These measures include setting up helpdesks at regional offices of the board across the state to provide technical assistance to health facilities for submitting authorization applications on the online portal of the board. It also conducts training programs for state officers and occupiers of health facilities for better understanding and compliance with the rules. The commission has directed the PPCB and the Director of Health to file the final and action taken report before the next hearing on September 6.

President Biden Addresses Concerns About His Ability to Serve Amid Health Speculations

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News on Health 7 ArdorComm Media Group President Biden Addresses Concerns About His Ability to Serve Amid Health Speculations

Facing persistent questions about his ability to serve, President Joe Biden stated he is willing to relinquish power to Vice President Kamala Harris if he wins a second term but is unable to complete it for health reasons — while discounting the likelihood of that scenario. “Only if I was told that there was some medical condition that I had, and that’s not the case,” Biden said when asked in a BET interview broadcast Wednesday if he would consider being a transitional figure and then turn over the presidency to Harris within two years. Biden, 81, acknowledged that questions about his age are “a legitimate thing to raise.” However, he defended his ability to lead the nation and expressed confidence in serving another four years in the White House. The president would be 86 years old at the end of a second term. “I’m only three years older than Trump, OK. And I think I’m in a little better physical shape than he is,” Biden said. “As long as I can demonstrate that it’s not affecting my ability to compete, my ability to get things done, my ability to literally lead the world.” Pressed on whether he would reconsider his service on a year-to-year basis, Biden said, “As a practical matter, yes. But there’s no reason to believe that’s likely to happen.” Biden has embarked on a furious effort to reassure the public of his mental acuity following his disastrous performance in a June 27 debate with Trump. Yet the onslaught of interviews, campaign events, and strategy memos has done little to assuage fellow Democrats’ persistent doubts about his ability to defeat Donald Trump. Earlier in the interview, Biden said he would also be willing to reconsider his determination to run for reelection if a medical condition emerged. The president was dealt several fresh blows on Wednesday. He tested positive for the coronavirus, forcing him to cancel a speech to a major Latino advocacy group. The diagnosis was announced after California Representative Adam Schiff became the most prominent Democrat to publicly call for Biden to withdraw from the race. The top US House and Senate Democrats in private conversations warned Biden about the continued risks his candidacy poses to the party’s efforts to win control of Congress, ABC News and the Washington Post reported. Even as Biden repeatedly vows to stay in the race, he has recently made a point to publicly declare confidence in Harris as questions about his health have touched off a debate over whether the vice president would be the most viable replacement if he steps aside.

Six Children Die of Suspected Chandipura Virus in Gujarat Since July 10

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News on Health 6 ArdorComm Media Group Six Children Die of Suspected Chandipura Virus in Gujarat Since July 10

Six children have died due to suspected Chandipura virus in Gujarat since July 10, with the total number of cases of the infection rising to 12, state Health Minister Rushikesh Patel has said. “Samples of the 12 patients have been sent to Pune’s National Institute of Virology (NIV) for confirmation,” he said on Monday. Chandipura virus causes fever, with symptoms similar to flu, and acute encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). It is transmitted by vectors like mosquitoes, ticks, and sand flies. The pathogen is a member of the Vesiculovirus genus of the family Rhabdoviridae. Patel said that four of the 12 patients were from Sabarkantha district, three from Aravalli, one each from Mahisagar and Kheda in Gujarat, while two patients were from Rajasthan and one from Madhya Pradesh. They received treatment in Gujarat. “Six deaths due to suspected Chandipura virus have been reported in the state, but only after results of the samples it will be clear whether they were caused by the Chandipura virus,” he said in a statement. “Five out of six deaths have been reported from the civil hospital in Himatnagar in Sabarkantha district. All 12 samples, including eight of patients at the civil hospital in Sabarkantha, have been sent to Pune’s National Institute of Virology (NIV) for confirmation,” Patel said. Paediatricians at the Himatnagar civil hospital had suspected Chandipura virus as the cause of death of four children on July 10 and sent their samples to NIV for confirmation. Later, four more children at the hospital showed similar symptoms. “Chandipura virus is not contagious. However, intensive surveillance has been undertaken in the affected areas. We have screened 18,646 persons in 4,487 houses. The health department is working round-the-clock to prevent the spread of the disease,” Patel said.

Budget 2024: Healthcare Sector Urges Government to Boost Public Health Spending

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News on Health 5 ArdorComm Media Group Budget 2024: Healthcare Sector Urges Government to Boost Public Health Spending

The healthcare sector in India is advocating for increased public health spending in the upcoming Budget 2024, urging the government to raise public health expenditure above 2.5 percent of the GDP. The industry is also calling for an Ayushman Bharat-like scheme specifically for the middle class to address healthcare needs more comprehensively. Key Recommendations: Increase Public Health Expenditure: The Healthcare Federation of India (NATHEALTH) has emphasized the need for the government to boost healthcare spending to over 2.5 percent of GDP. This increase is seen as crucial for enhancing infrastructure, addressing demand and supply challenges, and improving overall social insurance. Expand Healthcare Facilities: Abhay Soi, president of NATHEALTH and chairman of Max Healthcare Institute, highlighted the necessity for two billion square feet of advanced healthcare facilities. Expanding healthcare infrastructure in smaller cities and advancing digital healthcare services are also top priorities. Comparison with Other Countries: According to the Economic Survey 2022-23, healthcare expenditure by the Centre and state governments reached 2.1 percent of GDP in FY23. In comparison, OECD data shows that the US had the highest health expenditure to GDP ratio at 16.6 percent in 2022, while India’s was at 2.9 percent. Middle-Class Healthcare Scheme: Industry leaders, including PD Hinduja Hospital CEO Gautam Khanna, suggested implementing a healthcare scheme similar to PM-JAY for the middle class. This would require allocating 2.5-3.5 percent of GDP to healthcare to ensure broader coverage and affordability. Policy Reforms and Innovations: Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals, emphasized the need for the government to prioritize the healthcare sector to spur growth and productivity. The industry is also advocating for easing compliance burdens, promoting medtech innovation, rationalizing the goods and services tax (GST), and reviewing the health cess on medtech products. As the first Budget of Modi 3.0 approaches, the healthcare sector’s recommendations highlight the critical need for increased investment and policy support to enhance India’s healthcare infrastructure, improve access to quality healthcare, and ensure affordability for all citizens. Boosting public health spending is seen as a vital

Joe Biden’s Latest Health Concern: Reports of Parkinson’s Disease Specialist Visiting White House Surface

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News on Health 4 ArdorComm Media Group Joe Biden's Latest Health Concern: Reports of Parkinson's Disease Specialist Visiting White House Surface

Health concerns surrounding 81-year-old Joe Biden have always been at the center stage during the ongoing US Presidential Elections campaign, and a new concern has hit the Biden camp as reports of a top neurologist from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center visiting Biden’s physician earlier this year surface. According to Fox News, Dr. Kevin Cannard, who visited the White House, is a renowned Parkinson’s disease expert. This news has created a frenzy among US voters, who are concerned about Biden’s fitness in case he is re-elected to office for a second term. New Wave of Controversy Hits Biden Camp The Biden camp is already dealing with fallout from President Biden’s performance at the US Presidential Debate 2024, where he appeared underprepared against former President Donald Trump. Following the debate, rumors surfaced that Biden was considering dropping out of the race, though he later confirmed his intention to continue his re-election campaign. Was the Doctors’ Meeting Related to Biden’s Health? White House Spokesperson Indicates Otherwise White House visitor logs show that Dr. John E. Atwood, a renowned cardiologist at Walter Reed, also attended the meeting with Dr. Kevin Cannard. A White House spokesperson commented that doctors from Walter Reed routinely visit the White House to treat military staff stationed there, according to Fox News. It remains unclear whether the doctors’ visit was related to Biden’s health, as the White House has not explicitly confirmed this. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Biden had not undergone any recent medical exams up until the US Presidential Debate. However, voter concerns about Biden’s fitness for office persist.

States Asked to Keep Vigil After 8 Zika Cases in Maharashtra

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News on Health 2 ArdorComm Media Group States Asked to Keep Vigil After 8 Zika Cases in Maharashtra

On Wednesday, the Centre ordered states to maintain vigilance due to Zika virus spread in Maharashtra, with eight cases reported by July 2: six in Pune, one each in Kolhapur and Sangamner. Spread by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, Zika usually causes mild symptoms but poses risks for pregnant women, potentially causing microcephaly in the fetus. Atul Goel, Director General of Health Services, issued an advisory for constant monitoring. The Health Ministry urged screening pregnant women and tracking fetal growth as per guidelines, given the infection’s neurological consequences. Affected areas must prioritize vigilance, screening, and monitoring efforts. The Centre on Wednesday asked states to maintain a state of constant vigil over the Zika virus situation in the country amid reports of the spread of the mosquito-borne infection in various districts of Maharashtra. As of July 2, Maharashtra has reported eight cases of Zika virus infection: six from Pune and one each from Kolhapur and Sangamner. Zika virus is transmitted by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, similar to dengue and chikungunya. It spreads when a mosquito carrying the virus infects a person. Experts say the infection doesn’t cause severe symptoms in most cases and subsides in a few days. However, in the case of pregnant women, the infection is known to affect the fetus and cause microcephaly (reduced head size), making it a major concern. According to the health ministry, Director General of Health Services Atul Goel has issued an advisory to states highlighting the need for maintaining constant vigilance. As Zika is associated with microcephaly and neurological consequences in the fetus of the affected pregnant woman, the health ministry said on Wednesday, states have been advised to alert clinicians for close monitoring. “States are urged to instruct the health facilities to screen pregnant women, monitor the growth of the fetus of expecting mothers who have tested positive for Zika and act as per central guidelines,” it said.

80% of Public Health Facilities in India Are Substandard, Reveals Government Survey

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News on Health 1 ArdorComm Media Group 80% of Public Health Facilities in India Are Substandard, Reveals Government Survey

A recent government survey under the National Health Mission (NHM) has revealed that nearly 80% of public health facilities in India fail to meet the minimum standards for infrastructure, manpower, and equipment. This self-assessment exercise involved over 200,000 facilities, out of which only 8,089 scored 80% or higher for compliance. The government aims to make 70,000 facilities compliant within 100 days and will conduct surprise inspections to ensure standards are met. Public health facilities from states and Union Territories were asked to provide details on the number of doctors, nurses, and basic medical equipment available. The data shared on the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) dashboard showed that 40,451 facilities submitted key statistics through the Open Data Kit, a digital tool developed by the health ministry. The results were alarming, with only 20% of facilities qualifying as IPHS compliant, meaning they had the necessary infrastructure, human resources, drugs, diagnostics, and equipment to provide essential services. Approximately 42% of the facilities scored less than 50%, while the remaining scored between 50% and 80%. A senior health ministry official emphasized that the self-assessment and real-time monitoring are crucial to ensure health facilities maintain required standards, leading to better health outcomes and a more equitable society. The Centre is pushing states and UTs to address the identified gaps with full support to improve service quality. In addition to the IPHS, the National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) will continue to physically evaluate district hospitals, sub-district hospitals, community health centres, and primary health centres on best practices such as availability of essential medicines, equipment, waste management, infection control, support services, and patient rights. A new provision of virtual assessment has been introduced for Ayushman Arogya Mandir, the most numerous public health facilities under NHM. The NHM covers 60% of the costs for public health facilities, with the remaining expenses borne by the states.  

Health Ministry Suspends Mandatory Linking of CGHS and ABHA IDs

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News on Health 4 ArdorComm Media Group Health Ministry Suspends Mandatory Linking of CGHS and ABHA IDs

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has announced the suspension of the compulsory linking of Central Government Health Services (CGHS) beneficiary IDs with Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) IDs until further notice. This decision, stated in an office memorandum signed by Satheesh YH, director of CGHS, follows a review of previous orders that had made the linkage mandatory. The mandatory linkage, originally set to be enforced from April 1 and later extended to June 30, aimed to integrate various government health schemes under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). However, practical issues, including data privacy concerns and the current state of technology infrastructure, appear to have influenced the decision to make the linkage optional for the time being. The CGHS provides comprehensive healthcare services to central government employees, pensioners, and their dependent family members, covering over 4.5 million people across 75 cities. In contrast, the ABHA ID is a unique 14-digit number identifying beneficiaries within India’s digital healthcare ecosystem. Despite the previous mandate, only 231,134 CGHS IDs had been linked with ABHA IDs by June 26, according to the CGHS dashboard. Experts have pointed out several issues with the mandatory linking of CGHS and ABHA IDs. Sunil Rao, COO of Sahyadri Group of Hospitals, highlighted data privacy concerns and the inadequacies in current technology infrastructure as potential reasons for the decision. An anonymous expert further noted that the government had not clearly outlined how digital records would be protected, despite assurances that records under ABHA ID would be encrypted and safeguarded under the Digital Protection of Data and Privacy Act. Rao welcomed the move, describing it as a balanced approach that allows time to address data security and system integration issues. He emphasized that making the linkage voluntary would enable the government to ensure infrastructural readiness and gain public acceptance before full implementation. The Health Ministry’s decision reflects a cautious approach, ensuring that when the policy is ultimately enforced, it will be with comprehensive preparedness and widespread support.