NITI Aayog releases Fourth Edition of State Health Index
Radiance News Service
Maximum annual incremental performance is shown by UP, Assam, and Telangana among ‘Larger States’; Mizoram & Meghalaya among
‘Smaller States’; Delhi and J&K among ‘UTs’
Health Index is an example of both competitive and cooperative federalism: VC
Dr Rajiv Kumar
NITI Aayog Monday released the fourth edition of the State Health Index for
2019–20. The report, titled “Healthy States, Progressive India”, ranks states
and Union Territories on their year-on-year incremental performance in health
outcomes as well as their overall status.
Round
IV of the report focuses on measuring and highlighting the overall performance
and incremental improvement of states and UTs over the period 2018–19 to
2019–20.
The
report was released jointly by NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Dr Rajiv Kumar, CEO
Amitabh Kant, Additional Secretary Dr Rakesh Sarwal, and World Bank Senior
Health Specialist Sheena Chhabra. The report has been developed by NITI Aayog,
with technical assistance from the World Bank, and in close consultation with
the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
The
Findings
The
State Health Index is an annual tool to assess the performance of states and UTs.
It is a weighted composite index based on 24 indicators grouped under the
domains of ‘Health Outcomes’, ‘Governance and Information’, and ‘Key
Inputs/Processes’. Each domain has been assigned weights based on its
importance with a higher score for outcome indicators.
To
ensure comparison among similar entities, the ranking is categorized as ‘Larger
States’, ‘Smaller States’, and ‘Union Territories’.
Among the ‘Larger States’, in terms of annual incremental performance, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and Telangana are the top three ranking states.
Categorization of Larger States on Incremental Performance and Overall Performance
Among ‘Smaller States’, Mizoram and Meghalaya registered the maximum annual
incremental progress.
Categorization
of Smaller States on Incremental Performance and Overall Performance
Among UTs, Delhi, followed by Jammu and Kashmir,
showed the best incremental performance.
Categorization
of UTs on Incremental Performance and Overall Performance
On overall ranking based on the composite index score in
2019–20, the top-ranking states were Kerala and Tamil Nadu among the ‘Larger
States’, Mizoram and Tripura among the ‘Smaller States’, and DH&DD and
Chandigarh among the UTs.
The Mechanism
A robust and acceptable mechanism is used for measuring
performance. Data is collected online through a portal maintained by NITI on
agreed indicators. The data is then validated through an independent validation
agency selected through a transparent bidding process. The validated data
sheets are shared with the states for verification, followed by video
conferences with the states for resolving any disagreements or disputes. The
final sheets thus settled are shared with the states, and after agreement, the
data is finalized and used for analysis and report-writing.
‘States are beginning to take cognizance of indices such
as the State Health Index and use them in their policymaking and resource
allocation. This report is an example of both competitive and cooperative
federalism,’ said VC Dr Rajiv Kumar.
‘Our objective through this index is to not just look at
the states’ historical performance but also their incremental performance. The
index encourages healthy competition and cross-learning among States and UTs,’
said CEO Amitabh Kant.
The index is being compiled and published since 2017. The
reports aim to nudge states/UTs towards building robust health systems and
improving service delivery.
The importance of this annual tool is reemphasized by
MoHFW’s decision to link the index to incentives under National Health Mission.
This has been instrumental in shifting the focus from budget spending and
inputs to outputs and outcomes.