Growth of health care services in Punjab

The present paper examined the growth of health care services in terms of pattern of public expenditure, health infrastructural facilities, manpower growth and other health related services in Punjab during 1970–71 to 2006–07. For this purpose, the secondary data have been used and collected from both published/unpublished government sources and such other research organizations that are dealing with health related statistics and problems. The study clearly found that the public investment incurred on both social and economic services particularly during the 1970s and up to the end of 1980s in Punjab led to a remarkable improvements in the availability of health care institutions and supporting infrastructure in the state. But, after that public investment particularly in health sector slowed down rapidly. As a result, public health care institutions did not function well, but began to deteriorate. On the other hand, number of additional beds provided in hospitals and other health institutions were inadequate compared to rising population in the state during the period under consideration.