Health ministry says substantial reduction in out-of-pocket expenditure
rejects reports questioning data
New Delhi (PTI): The 2018-19 National Health Accounts estimates show a substantial reduction in out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE), reaffirming the government's commitment towards easing citizens' financial burden, the health ministry said Friday, rejecting reports that questioned the accuracy of data.
The ministry termed such media reports "misleading and incorrect".
In a statement, the ministry said the criticism of NHA 2018-19 is a "typical prima facie example of ignoring facts and sound reason" and leaving the mantle of justification to the others.
The NHA provides detailed information on expenditures incurred within the health sector of the country.
"The recent NHA estimates (2018-19) show a substantial reduction in out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE), reaffirming the government's commitment towards easing the citizens' financial burden," the statement said.
It said calling this data a "mirage" by one expert of health economics working in a private Indian University and quoted in certain sections of media is devoid of justification and rational basis.
The report published in a national daily said the NHA projects a substantial reduction in not just out-of-pocket expenditure but a reduction in absolute terms 2017-19. The report then quoted health finance experts to claim such a reduction is not possible.
"While the same experts had unequivocally accepted the 2014 data, their assessment of 2017-18 as 'doubtful' is truly arbitrary," the ministry's statement said.
"Such criticism is based on flawed juxtaposition and selective picking of data to further their specious argument. Formulations like, 'seems problematic/seems unlikely' as the basis of a claim, is nothing if not hypothetical disagreement," the statement said.
The increase in utilization of government health facilities has been an important aspect of NSO 2017-18, it said.
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Karnataka Congress plans to start its own media platform: Report
Bengaluru: In a strategic move to better communicate its policies and enhance its public image, the Karnataka Congress is reportedly planning to start its own media platform. This initiative may include the introduction of a dedicated newspaper to disseminate information about the party and its government.
The Karnataka Congress is preparing to start its own YouTube channel, with initial meetings already underway and a dedicated studio set up at their office, according to a report in Deccan Herald. Karnataka Congress working president G.C. Chandrashekhar told the news outlet that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is projecting that the Congress did not do anything for five decades. He accused the saffron party of distorting history. “Also, party decisions don’t reach the ground sometimes. For all these reasons, we want to start a YouTube channel,” he added. Chandrashekhar highlighted that this move is also aimed at improving the image of the Karnataka Congress.
There is a sentiment within the Grand Old Party that the mainstream media is not providing adequate support, and this dissatisfaction has prompted the party to consider establishing its own media platform, according to one leader, as reported by DH.
Chandrashekhar further revealed that the party plans to start a newspaper in the second phase of their media expansion, although it is not yet finalised. He noted that they are studying the approach of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal, which apparently operates its own newspaper called Jago Bangla. Chandrashekhar pointed out that they are researching on how the TMC sustains the publication and whether it is well-received by people and party workers.
