A new draft of the national health research policy proposes to study the benefits that the vulnerable sections of population, such as scheduled castes, tribal population and unorganised labour, draw from the health expenditure incurred in the country. It also plans to measure the extent to which such spends improve their livelihood. The policy draft formulated by the department of health research seeks to study the economic burden of disease borne by such marginalised sections and the manner in which it reflects in the country?s development process.
?Equity in services and development shall be the cardinal principle underriding the health research system. There shall be a special emphasis on vulnerable groups like scheduled castes, tribal populations, unorganised labour? who remain in the periphery of society,? says the draft.
Data related to expenditure on health in these sectors, problems on delivery of health care and the potential impact of innovations in public sector financing such as user fees and the economic burden of disease in vulnerable groups and its impact on national development are the key issues, the document adds.