Union Budget 2022-23: The Finance Minister Announces a ‘National Digital Health Ecosystem’

On February 1, 2022, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget for the financial year 2022-23. For 2022-23, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has been allocated Rs. 86,200.65 crore which is just 0.23 percent more than the revised estimate of Rs. 86,000.65 crore in 2021-22.

The following are some of the most important announcements made by the Finance Minister in terms of public health and well-being.

NATIONAL DIGITAL HEALTH ECOSYSTEM
While giving her speech, FM Sitharaman addressed an open platform for the National Digital Health Ecosystem in which digital registers of health providers and facilities, a unique health identity, a consent framework, and universal access to health services will all be part of it. Impressed by this, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya expressed his opinion on twitter by saying that this will drastically enhance ease of living for citizens and create healthier India. Dr. Mona Duggal, Assistant Professor, School of Public Health, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, praised the government’s initiative, saying, “National Digital Health Mission Registries on health personnel will help provide an assessment of skilled workforce in different regions. These are baby-steps but as a robust database comes into force, it will have a long term impact on the strengthening of health systems and equity.”

While presenting the budget, Nirmala Sitharaman expressed empathy for the people who had to go through difficult times due to the pandemic. She said “the country is in a strong position to withstand challenges due to the accelerated improvement of health infrastructure in the past two years.”

NATIONAL TELE-MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMME
There’s no doubt that the pandemic has charged us with mental stress, misery, and adversity. Keeping this in mind, FM Sitharaman announced that the National-Tele Mental Health Programme will be launched. IIT Bangalore will provide technological aid, whereas National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences will act as centre to a network of 23 tele-mental health centres.

Mr. Mandaviya shared more details about this;

• Providing counselling and care to individuals using standard, evidence-based, culturally relevant techniques.
• Improving people’s access to high-quality, standardized, and free mental health services 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• Assist in connecting with different mental health care providers, Ayushman Bharat health and wellness centres, and the e-Sanjeevani system.

OVER TO YOU
National digital health ecosystem is definitely a great step towards betterment. Stay tuned for more updates!