New Delhi : Kerala recorded exemplary milestone fourth time straight, topping NITI Aayog Index for best health markings countrywide. Kerala scored 82.20 for 2019-20 on the index that gauges multiple parameters for performance on health front. The accomplishment is especially notable for having come in an year that caused historic floods in state. Tamil Nadu took 2nd position with 72.42 points followed by Telangana with 69.96 . Uttar Pradesh is country’s worst state in terms of health with a dismal score of 30.57. Ratings for other poor performers are : Bihar(31), Madhya Pradesh(36.72), Rajasthan(41.33)
The Index classifies states into 19 large states, 8 small states and 7 union territories. Scores for Kerala is more than double i.e. 2.7 times than U.P. falling in the large-state bracket. Other good scorers in small-state category are Mizoram (75.77) and Tripura(70.16). Centre-ruled Dadra Nagar Haveli scored 66.19 points on the index.
To arrive on index markings, total of 24 parameters area applied to 3 sections namely - Performance in health sector, Government health system and services, and Health staff & hospitals. Kerala scored 85.97, 83.37 and 65.62 for the three respectively. Only 5 states have registered increased scores than of 2018-19 - Kerala. Tamil Nadu, Telangana,
Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Rajasthan ranked worst counts combined i.e. health index and score growth. In fact, Rajasthan slid 0.25 points below its score of last year. Incidentally, half among the large states failed to secure 50 points on the index.
With aim to attaining sustainable developmental goals, NITI Aayog, in cooperation with Union Ministry For Health and Family Welfare, has been arriving at Health Index it began publishing since 2017.
