Abstract

Rajasthan, the largest state in India, faces significant challenges in healthcare despite recent improvements in key indicators. With 33 districts and a population comprising 5.6% of the nation, the state exhibits alarming social indicators with only 25% of women completing at least ten years of education, and a high prevalence of child marriage among women aged 21-25 years. This policy brief reviews health expenditure patterns from 2012-13 to 2017-18 to assess whether health spending aligns with the state’s pressing health needs.

The study addresses critical questions regarding the impact of the 14th Finance Commission on health policy and expenditures, evaluates the contribution of the national health mission (NHM) to overall health financing, and examines the participatory nature of the gram panchayat development plan (GPDP) at the local level, particularly concerning health initiatives.

Despite its economic challenges, Rajasthan has made strides in healthcare provisioning by offering free medicines and diagnostics. The maternal mortality atrio (MMR) and infant mortality rate (IMR) show notable improvements, yet disparities persist. This brief aims to provide insights into how financial allocations can better serve the health priorities of Rajasthan’s population, ensuring that resources are effectively utilised to address immediate and long-term health challenges.

CBPS. (2020). Public expenditure review of the health sector in Rajasthan: a policy brief. Bengaluru: Centre of Budget and Policy Studies