This discussion theme is in continuance to our first discussion titled ‘Health System in India: Bridging the Gap between Potential and Performance’. To review what others have commented on this subject earlier in the first discussion, visit our Blog.

How can we maximize health returns through increasing financial resources for Health?

Public expenditure on health at the end of the 11th Plan period was at 1.04% of GDP. Additionally, 70% of total expenditure on health is out of pocket. Studies show that out of pocket expenditure on health in India may be contributing to increase in poverty by approximately 3.6% for rural areas and 2.9% for urban areas. Public health spending in India remains among the lowest among comparable countries. It is clear that there is a need to raise more resources for health. Since spending on health need not only be through central government allocations, novel methods for raising additional funds must also be explored. Please view the detailed paper Working Paper 2/2015- Increasing Financial Resources for Health and provide your suggestions on additional methods for increasing resources for health.