New Delhi: Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Monday addressed the Lok Sabha in response to the Demands for Grants related to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for 2024-25 and said that the budget for health infrastructure has marked an “increased of 164 percent” in the past decade.

Stressing that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the health sector has been “prioritised” in the budget allocation, he said that several suggestions were raised in the Lok Sabha regarding the health infrastructure which were “welcomed” by the Centre.

“Most of the suggestions focused on two main points: increasing the budget for the health sector and reducing out-of-pocket expenditure. I welcome these suggestions,” he added.

Highlighting the significant increase in the health sector budget over the years, Nadda said, “In 2013-14, the budget was Rs 33,278 crore, and today it stands at Rs 90,958 crore, marking an increase of 164 percent. This demonstrates our prioritisation of the health sector.”

He also mentioned that local governments have allocated an additional Rs 71,051 crore, as suggested by the 15th Finance Commission Report.

“The National Health Mission (NHM) ensures that state governments strengthen their health infrastructure and logistics, with Rs 55 crore allocated from the total health budget,” Nadda added.