• Dr. Sheeba. V.T

In a country like India where a large section of the population is poor & vulnerable, the government’s spending on health is critical. The episode of epidemics and diseases makes it all the more relevant. The history of Epidemics is not new to India or the world. The Bubonic Plague [1896-1918] that killed 10 million people and the Spanish Flu [1918-20] which killed 12 -18 million [4-7% of the population] and incidence of Influenza, Cholera, Small pox, Swine-flu, Nipah and Chikunguniya are some of the other examples. Humanity is often reminded that health is wealth. Prevention is better than cure and both prevention and cure are indispensable for all economies necessitating huge expenditures. The trail of death and despair left by deadly diseases is also a warning that countries should not lower their guard since possibility of mutations and deadly waves loom large over countries. The increased morbidity has put immense pressure across the countries and an unprecedented burden on the healthcare system. The public health system in most of the states is facing enormous challenges in coping up with the rising population. Lack of adequate health infrastructure including hospital beds, medicines, oxygen support etc. are a few of the major challenges across the country. States with better Private health infrastructure are able to manage better in comparative terms, but the financial burden of out -of -pocket expenditures on private treatment is a concern for the masses everywhere. In the Indian context private sector services can hardly be a dependable option.

Health infrastructure, Per capita health expenditures, public health, Budget.

"DISPARITIES IN PUBLIC HEALTH EXPENDITURES IN INDIA-NEED FOR RAISING SHARES", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 3, page no.603-607, March-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1903N81.pdf

"DISPARITIES IN PUBLIC HEALTH EXPENDITURES IN INDIA-NEED FOR RAISING SHARES", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 3, page no. pp603-607, March-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1903N81.pdf