Tracking BJP’s 2014 Manifesto Promises: Health Services -1
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
April 18, 2019
Editor’s Note: The BJP’s manifesto for the 2014 Lok Sabha general elections had a total of 495 promises. Out of the 495 promises, many were vague promises that are difficult to track and review. In a series of stories, we track some of the tangible promises made in various sectors and review if they have been fulfilled.
The BJP has made a number of promises with regards to health services in their 2014 manifesto. While not all the promises can be verified, this article is a review of to what extent the party has kept some of its promises in the health sector.
Did the government launch a new Health Policy?
One of the promises that have been made isthat ‘the last
healthcare policy dates back to 2002. India now needs a comprehensive
healthcare policy to address the complex healthcare challenges, keeping in view
the developments in the healthcare sector and the changing demographics. BJP
will initiate the New Health Policy’.
The current BJP government has formulated the Draft NationalHealth Policy, 2015 in the light of the changes that have taken place in thecountry’s health sector scenario since the formulation of the National HealthPolicy 2002. The Draft. National Health Policy, 2015 has been placed in publicdomain in December 2014 for wider stakeholder consultations.
The process of formulation of the new NationalHealth Policy entailed wide consultation with multiple stakeholders, Regionalconsultations, approval of Central Council of Health and Family Welfare andGroup of Ministers. The Cabinet in its meeting held on 15th March, 2017approved the National Health Policy, 2017. According to the government’s response in the parliament, there aresome points in the new policy that have notbeen specifically covered or addressed in the older policy.
While the larger implementation of thispolicy and its effectiveness remain to be reviewed, the major promise itself isfulfilled.
Promise: The last healthcare policy dates back to 2002. India now needs a comprehensive healthcare policy to address the complex healthcare challenges, keeping in view the developments in the healthcare sector and the changing demographics. BJP will initiate the New Health Policy.
Status:  The Cabinet in its meeting held on 15th March, 2017 approved the National Health Policy, 2017. The promise has been FULFILLED.
Is there a mission to provide universal
health care and reduce OOP spending?
The nextpromise was that the government shall ‘Initiate
the ‘National Health Assurance Mission’, with a clear mandate to provide universal
healthcare that is not only accessible and affordable, but also effective, and
reduces the OOP spending for the common man’.
While no such specific mission was launchedby the current government, here is a look at various initiatives of the currentgovernment that fall under the larger ambit of providing universal health care.
While some of the above are newinitiatives, some others are continuation of the programs launched by the UPA.All in all, it is difficult to say if this promise is fulfilled since majorprograms were launched only in the later half of the tenure. Hence this promiseis remains ‘In Progress’.
Promise: Initiate the ‘National Health Assurance Mission’, with a clear mandate to provide universal healthcare that is not only accessible and affordable, but also effective, and reduces the OOP spending for the common man.
Reorganization of Departments
Yet another promise that was made about this sector is to ‘Reorganize Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in order to converge various departments dealing in healthcare, food and nutrition and pharmaceuticals, for effective delivery of healthcare services.”
The Department of Pharmaceuticals is still under the Ministry of Chemicals& Fertilizers. This department deals with the supply of drugs, pricing ofdrugs to make them affordable, the Jan Aushadi stores etc. The Food &Nutrition board is still under the Ministry of Women & Child Development. Hencethis promise is broken.
Promise: Reorganize Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in order to converge various departments dealing in healthcare, food and nutrition and pharmaceuticals, for effective delivery of healthcare services.
Statue: The Department of Pharmaceuticals is still under the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers. This promise is BROKEN.