Policy seeks to raise health spend to 2.5% of GDP

The policy envisions increasing life expectancy to 70 years from 67.5 years

Setting ambitious targets, the central government on Thursday unveiled the National Health Policy, which entails raising public expenditure on health to 2.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) from the current two per cent and introducing yoga more widely in schools and workplaces.

The policy, cleared by the Cabinet on Wednesday, envisions increasing life expectancy to 70 years from 67.5 years, and proposes free diagnostics and drugs at all public hospitals. The policy envisions setting up public health management cadres in every state. 

It seeks to empower patients by setting up tribunals where an aggrieved person can seek redress of grievances