Although theCentrehas asked the states to increase budgetary spending to provide better Health facilities, theGujarat governmenthas over the past few years reduced its healthcare allocation. The Union governments advice was made under the newNational Health Policy, which was announced in 2017.
TheGujaratgovernments reduction in the healthcare allocation could probably be one of the contributing reasons for the strain the public health is facing in the pandemic.
The Gujarat government reduced the Health sector budget allocation from 5.7% of the total budget in 2016-17 to 5% in 2021-22. The National Health Policy also proposed to increase budget spending of at least 2.5% of the totalGSDP(gross state domestic product) for health Services. But the Gujarat government has spent only about 0.6% so far.