By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, FEB 02, 2021: HEALTH Minister Mr Harsh Vardhan lauded the Centre's move on Monday for underscoring the importance of health and wellbeing for the growth and development of the country, as the Union Budget 2021-22 increased investments in the sector by 137 per cent.

Mr Vardhan expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi for fulfilling his commitment of not only providing relief during the ongoing pandemic but also turning the crisis into an opportunity for further growth and development

"The focus on strengthening three areas - preventive health, curative health and wellbeing with total Allocation to health sector being Rs. 2,23,846 crore will be of immense help to the country at this critical juncture," he stated.

Investment on health Infrastructure in Budget 2021 has increased 2.37 times or 137 per cent from Rs. 94,452 crore in the previous fiscal to an estimate Rs. 2,23,846 crore. In this budget, Rs. 71,268.77 crore has been allocated to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Talking about the COVID-19 vaccines, he said that Finance Minister Ms Nirmala Sitharaman has provided Rs. 35,000 crore and has committed to providing more funds if required, calling it a "huge boost to the morale of the country."

The pneumococcal vaccine, an indigenously product which us limited to five States at present, will be rolled out across the country, which will avert more than 50,000 child deaths annually, he said.

The new centrally sponsored Pra dhan Mantri Atmanirbhar Swasthya Bharat Yojana was also announced by Ms Sitharaman, with an outlay of Rs. 64,180 crore over six years.

It will develop capacities of primary, secondary and tertiary care, health care systems, develop institutions for detection and cure of new and emerging diseases and strengthen the existing National Health Mission (NHM), independent of it, he stated.

"The scheme will strengthen 17000 rural and 11000 urban health and wellness centres, set up integrated public health labs in all districts and 3,382 block public health units in 11 States, establish critical care hospital blocks in 602 districts and 12 central institutions", the Health Minister added.