Budget allocation for the key health sector reduced

Hyderabad: Budget allocations to Health Department were lower in the 2019-20 budget when compared to last year. Allocations for KCR Kits and drugs procurement was lesser this year and there was no mention of Health Profile scheme or the ENT-Dental tests that were planned along lines of Kanti Velugu.

However, budget projection for Aarogyasri and EHS (Employee Health Scheme) and JHS (Journalist Health Scheme) was higher compared to 2018-19 budget as the government had to clear pending bills to both private and government hospitals for last several months.

The budget projection this year was Rs 5694.17 crore as against Rs 7375 crore of 2018-19 budget. While the establishment expenditure from both budgets were almost similar, a big cut of nearly 50 percent was seen in scheme expenditure.

The establishment expenditure in last year budget was Rs 3,522 crore. This time a small increase was given in 2019-20 projection that stood at Rs 3,705.36 crore.

The all-important scheme expenditure was, however, cut down by nearly 50 per cent. As against the last time projection of Rs 3,852 crore, the government earmarked Rs 1.988.81 crore for scheme expenditure for the current financial year.

KCR Kits and Ammavodi which was allocated Rs 561 crore budget last year got only Rs 357 crore allocation this time. Also, allocation for drugs was cut down from Rs 370 crore ( 2018-19) to Rs 226 crore this time.

The government, which announced that they would take up health profile, ENT and dental check-ups for the entire population of the State along lines of the Kanti Velugu held last year did not make allocations in this budget and it remains to be seen from which head they would be allotted funds for commencing those initiatives.

Aarogyasri, EHS and JHS which were allocated Rs 830 crore in 2018-19 budget got a decent projection of Rs 1,336 crore this time.