Universal health coverage need of hour

Vijayawada: The progress of any economy depends upon the health of people, said Dr Y Ramesh Babu, chief anesthesiologist.

Addressing the health education programme at Vasavya Nursing Home here on Saturday in connection with the World Health Day, the senior physician recalled a slogan of World Health Organisation ‘Health insurance for all’. “It is high time everyone concentrated on awareness of health insurance,” he added. Dr G Maru presided over the meeting.

Dr Ramesh Babu said that universal health insurance coverage should cover all irrespective of age and gender which would help them in case of ill-health. “The nation’s economic progress depends upon the health of the people,” he added. If the people are healthy then only any nation flourishes and the productivity would also increase, he said.

He found fault with the government policies regarding public health where the budget allocation for health is very poor. The Central government allocates 1.5 per cent for public health whereas the US administration earmarks 18 per cent, he pointed out.

The Andhra Pradesh allocated only Rs 8,400 crore for public health, he said and regretted that there is not even drinking water supply at many sub-centres. According to him, operation facility is available only in 36 per cent of primary health centres in the state. On an average, every Indian is spending 62 per cent of the earnings for safeguarding health, he said.

At least 10 crore families are slipping to abject poverty once they are afflicted by some disease, according to a survey of WHO, he recalled. He said that at least 80 crore people are suffering throughout the world as they could not bear expensive treatment.

The doctor said that universal health scheme formulated by the WHO, would help such people. He appealed to the governments of all countries to adopt the universal health scheme with responsibility. Dr Olos Gora proposed a vote of thanks.