Concern over NITI Aayog’s low health index ranking for Rajasthan

Strengthen primary health care and make free and rational medication accessible to all, say activists

Health rights groups in Rajasthan on Tuesday expressed concern over the NITI Aayog giving low ranking in the health index round IV report with the findings that health status had stagnated and health services were deteriorating in most parts of the State. The ranking was given recently on the basis of 24 indicators related to health outcomes and on key inputs and processes.

The report “Healthy States, Progressive India”, prepared by the NITI Aayog, the World Bank and the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, has placed Rajasthan at the 16th position among 19 big States. Moreover, the State has shown a decline between the base year 2018-19 and the reference year 2019-20.

Rajasthan has been depicted as the “worst performer” in health outcomes measured in the form of neonatal, under five and maternal mortality rates, tuberculosis treatment success rate, etc. It falters even on institutional deliveries and immunisation in comparison with other States.