Budget 2010 Highlights: Shoring Up Health Care Capacity

GIS - Nov 23, 2009: The 2010 budget has earmarked over Rs 7.4 billion for the health sector in terms of prevention activities, upgrading of infrastructure and formulating measures relating to health care for the elderly.  The health budget which has jumped by 85% since 2005 aims at shoring up health care capacity and creating an efficient and sustainable health care delivery system.

As regards renovation and upgrading of hospitals, a sum of Rs 556 million will be injected to extend hospitals and other health care facilities.  The new Dr A. G. Jeetoo Hospital will be constructed at the cost of Rs 2 billion.  Furthermore, investment to the tune of Rs 200 million will be made on new equipment and Rs 825 million will be spent on medicines and medical supplies.  The budget makes provision for the implementation of a scheme to reduce the waiting list for ophthalmologic non-emergency surgeries at Moka Eye Hospital.

The 2010 budget also lays emphasis on prevention.  The digital screening service for prevention of blindness which is operational at SSR National Hospital and Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital will be extended to Victoria and Flacq Hospitals. Screening of breast cancer and cervical cancer in women will be strengthened as well as the School Health Programme which targets students of Form III and Lower VI. 

With regard to the changing needs of the elderly, provision is also made in the budget for the formulation of policies in terms of:

• Setting-up of a Research Unit to study the ageing population phenomenon

• Preparation of a Carer’s Strategy and Action Plan

• Training of women to give care to elderly people

• Extension of free vaccinations against flu to all elders aged 60 years and above