NSO survey shows better health-seeking behaviour, relatively low medical charges, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The National Statistical Office (NSO) survey in 2025 indicates improved health-seeking behavior with the proportion of the population reporting ailing nearly doubling since 2017-18.
• Government health insurance coverage has increased more than threefold, reaching 45.5% in rural areas and 31.8% in urban areas.
• Institutional deliveries have risen to 95.6% in rural areas and 97.8% in urban areas.
• Median out-of-pocket medical expenditure (OOPE) per case of hospitalization in 2025 was ₹11,285.
• Utilization of public healthcare facilities has strengthened, particularly for outpatient care in rural areas, increasing from 33% to 35%.

Detailed Insights:

• The increase in the Proportion of Population Reporting Ailing (PPRA) suggests greater awareness and willingness to seek medical attention.
• Expansion of schemes like Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) has significantly contributed to increased health insurance coverage.
• Increased utilization of public health facilities is attributed to comprehensive primary healthcare services and availability of free drugs and diagnostics.
• India is experiencing a shift in disease patterns, with a decline in infectious diseases and a rise in non-communicable diseases.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE): Direct payments made by individuals at the point of receiving healthcare.
• Proportion of Population Reporting Ailing (PPRA): Percentage of individuals reporting illness in a given period.
• Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY): A government-sponsored health insurance scheme providing financial protection to poor families.

Ayushman Bharat