Mr. Ashutosh Kaushik, Interim CEO, FRHS India and CAG member for Pratigya Campaign said, “The FY2021 budget announced a 137% increase in healthcare spending to address some of the gaps. Healthcare accounted for about 1.8% of GDP in 2021. We should aim to raise it to at least 3.5% of GDP this year. While COVID-19 pandemic is important and there has to be a focus, it is equally important to increase the proportion of spending on other aspects like SRHR services considering medical abortion pills and abortion access to ensure safe abortion practices for long term. This would reduce rates of adolescent pregnancy, increase awareness for birth spacing which will provide a critical window for mothers to have healthier, safer pregnancies. Furthermore, the budget should focus on increasing the budget for family welfare to ensure adequate supply of contraceptives methods and Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs) to meet reproductive health needs. Investing in promoting health education in schools and colleges to enable adolescents to take charge of their own health needs. Strengthen response to gender-based violence, a growing public health concern.”
Ms. Debanjana Choudhuri, gender and climate justice specialist said, “The Covid-19 pandemic has underlined the significance of having a robust healthcare system in the country. The healthcare sector, which has proven to be a shield against the pandemic since 2020, seeks increased outlays in expenditure in the upcoming Union Budget 2022. Healthcare allocation must be raised to achieve govt plans of spending 2.5% of GDP by 2025. There is an immediate need to increase the allocation for health expenditure to atleast 2.5%-3.5% of the GDP. The issues that exited last year continues to exist and therefore it is important to establish quality health care services across the country, and increase investments in sexual and reproductive health, while also bringing about focus to contraceptive and safe abortion access in particular by expanding the provider base and prioritizing women’s health, which will have positive impact on the overall health of the country.”