As India's health crises grow, funds unspent by states swelled 29% in 5 yrs

India ranks lower than neighbouring Bangladesh and even sub-Saharan Sudan and Equatorial Guinea on healthcare access, and it spends 1.4 per cent of its GDP on health, the least among BRICS nations

Even as health crises in India grew, National Health Mission (NHM) funds unspent by states over five years to 2016 increased by 29 per cent, according to a recent audit by the government’s auditor. The audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India also reported delayed transfers and misallocation of these funds.

The NHM, launched in 2005, is India’s largest health programme aimed at providing universal access to healthcare. One of its primary missions is to improve maternal and child health and control communicable and non-communicable diseases.

Data show why it is critical that NHM