From D Ravi Kanth
Geneva, May 17 (PTI) An abysmally low government spending on health -- at USD 32 per capita -- characterises the poor state of healthcare in India which is facing a "double burden" of diseases afflicting both the poor and rich classes, a new WHO report has warned.
While India's life expectancy has gone up to 65 years in 2009, up from 61 years in 2000. Global life expectancy was still higher at 68 years in 2009 as compared to 64 in 1990.
While per capita health expenditure is about USD 32 in poor countries, including in India, it is around USD 4590 in rich countries (more than 140 times).
The high income countries consequently have 10 times more doctors, 12 times more nurses and midwifes and 30 times more dentists, the report said.