Stakeholders demand better allocation for family planning

MUMBAI: Crusaders of

public health

are hoping for a slightly better allocation than the previous

budget.

"Based on the last central Health Budget estimates of FY 15-16, the allocation for family welfare was as low as 4 per cent. The trend of central government allocations to Family Welfare has been declining in the last few years, with the decline being 54% between 2013-14 and 2015-16," said Poonam Muttreja, executive director,

Population Foundation of India

.

Under the National Health Mission, a meagre 1.45 per cent of the total family planning expenditure is on spacing methods, which reflects the lack of much needed attention to spacing.

"The health budget for financial year 2016-17 should reflect an increase in investments on Family Planning based on the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's (MoHFW) approval to the introduction of new methods and emphasis on spacing methods to the family planning program.

This introduction of an additional spacing method needs to be supported with a focus on a regular contraceptive supply along with maintaining utmost quality of care and client follow up," she added.