<p>Coming against the backdrop of Covid-19, the Budget for 2021-22 is likely to have a substantial increase in the allocation for health services and infrastructure.</p>.<p>Along with other stakeholders, the 15th Finance Commission is said to have suggested an enhanced expenditure on health to the government. </p>.<p>N K Singh, the Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, which submitted the report to the government, has suggested the need for raising public spending on health infrastructure.</p>.<p>Days after submitting the report, Singh had suggested that the government’s endeavour should be to enhance public spending on health to 2.5% of the GDP from the current figure of less than 1%.</p>.<p>“The Budget will have a special focus on the infrastructure sector. Health infrastructure is top on the government’s mind. There would be a substantial increase. The government is pushing for a bigger public-private-partnership model for the health care sector,” an official told DH.</p>.<p>The official said the seriousness of the government towards healthcare can be gauged from the fact that it has made an off-budget announcement of Rs 900 crore to the Department of Biotechnology for Covid-19 vaccine research.</p>.<p>The cost of vaccine and distribution expenses will be made separately once the vaccine is available, the official said.</p>.<p>The Finance Commission’s report is yet to be made public. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to present the report in Parliament along with the Budget.</p>.<p>Singh has also pitched for a larger private sector role in erecting a solid health infrastructure in the country.</p>
<p>Coming against the backdrop of Covid-19, the Budget for 2021-22 is likely to have a substantial increase in the allocation for health services and infrastructure.</p>.<p>Along with other stakeholders, the 15th Finance Commission is said to have suggested an enhanced expenditure on health to the government. </p>.<p>N K Singh, the Chairman of the 15th Finance Commission, which submitted the report to the government, has suggested the need for raising public spending on health infrastructure.</p>.<p>Days after submitting the report, Singh had suggested that the government’s endeavour should be to enhance public spending on health to 2.5% of the GDP from the current figure of less than 1%.</p>.<p>“The Budget will have a special focus on the infrastructure sector. Health infrastructure is top on the government’s mind. There would be a substantial increase. The government is pushing for a bigger public-private-partnership model for the health care sector,” an official told DH.</p>.<p>The official said the seriousness of the government towards healthcare can be gauged from the fact that it has made an off-budget announcement of Rs 900 crore to the Department of Biotechnology for Covid-19 vaccine research.</p>.<p>The cost of vaccine and distribution expenses will be made separately once the vaccine is available, the official said.</p>.<p>The Finance Commission’s report is yet to be made public. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to present the report in Parliament along with the Budget.</p>.<p>Singh has also pitched for a larger private sector role in erecting a solid health infrastructure in the country.</p>
