At a time when the Centre is aiming to attain Universal Health Coverage in all states, the release of funds for Maharashtra under National Health Mission (NHM) has been slashed to it lowest amount in the past three years.
As per the data released in Lok Sabha by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the fund has been cut by 46 per cent in 2015 in comparison to the amount allocated in 2014.
In 2014, Rs 1,431.76 crore fund was released for NHM for the state, which fell to Rs 773.1 crore in 2015. This has been the lowest amount of fund released by the Union government in the past three years. In 2013, Rs 1,520.71 crore was released for extensive coverage and better performance in the health sector.
The drop in funds has made officers from the Health and Family Welfare Ministry sceptical. “NHM comprises several primary health services. Immunisation package to provide full immunisation across the state falls under this budget bracket. Also, all the activities to provide better nutrition to newborn babies are covered with the fund,” said an official in-charge of immunisation project in the state.
Adding to the worrying state of affairs, government-appointed ASHA workers who work in rural areas in fields such as maternity and nutrition for newborn babies are facing delay in getting salaries.
In addition, NGOs that work with the government in combating HIV/AIDs and caring for HIV-infected patients also have months-long backlog in receiving money from the government.
“The government is providing free treatment to patients with TB but no proper check is maintained on the nutrition level. So, rather than increasing funds for health, they are decreasing it,” said Shariq from ASHA Foundation (no relation with ASHA employees), which works for TB patients.
