The Health Ministry has asked Meghalaya and 20 other states to review the utilisation of central funds for healthcare on a regular basis and ensure that no funds remain unutilised.
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya today virtually interacted with health ministers of 21 states and union territories to review the implementation of flagship schemes including National Health Mission (NHM), various a projects under Emergency COVID Response Package (ECRP)-II, Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), and 15th Finance Commission grants.
Meghalaya Health Minister James Sangma was among the health ministers who took part at the review meeting.
Expressing concern regarding the lower utilisation of central funds in some states, Mandaviya noted that “instead of the Centre reviewing the low funds utilisation, the states ought to enhance their performance and expeditiously seek funds from the Centre for speedy implementation of health schemes”.
He added that various flexibilities have been extended to states for timely utilisation of the funds and creation of health infrastructure under the packages and flagship programmes.
Funds under ECRP-II need to be utilised soon as the package is available till December 2022, Mandaviya emphasised.
Mandaviya invited the state health ministers to share the challenges faced by them towards this goal and sought their suggestions for further facilitating funds utilisation.
He also urged the state health ministers to personally review the funds utilisation on a regular basis and ensure that no funds remain unutilised. He also urged the states to regularly update the portal of the Union Health Ministry indicating the physical and financial progress of health infrastructure schemes.
Mandaviya assured that the Government of India is committed to supporting states and union territories in their efforts towards providing accessible, affordable, quality and equitable public healthcare services to the citizens.
This was part of a series of meetings chaired by the Union Health Minister to review progress and expedite utilisation of central funds to states under various schemes and packages for upgradation and strengthening of critical care infrastructure across the states.
