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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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
