30.12.21

Niti Health Index 2019-20

Kerala has emerged as the top performer among larger states while Uttar Pradesh came in as the worst performer in the Niti Aayog’s State Health Index 2019-20.

The fourth round of the index, placed Tamil Nadu and Telangana as second and third best performers, respectively, on health parameters. Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra were the other two states in the top five respectively on the index.

Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar were the bottom four laggard states.

The report, however, added that Uttar Pradesh topped in terms of incremental performance by registering the highest incremental change from the base year (2018-19) to reference year (2019-20). “From the base year (2018-19) to the reference year (2019-20), Uttar Pradesh led in improving the performance of 33 out of 43 indicators and sub-indicators. On the other hand, Kerala showed improvement in only19 indicators, and additionally had three indicators in the category of fully achieved,” the Aayog said.

Despite good performance, even the best performing states have significant room for improvement as the highest observed overall index score was 82. 20 for Kerala which is some distance from the frontier (maximum potential score is100), it added.

Mizoram ranked at the top among smaller states and Nagaland came in at the bottom in 2019-20. Among Union Territories, Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Chandigarh secured first and second ranks, respectively, in terms of overall performance.

The report has been brought out by Niti Aayog in collaboration with the ministry of health and family welfare and the World Bank.

The health index is a weighted composite index based on 24 indicators in three domains namely the health outcomes, governance and information; and key inputs and processes. Each domain is assigned weights based on its importance with the health outcomes carrying the highest weight.

The Aayog maintains the Health Index is a useful tool to measure and compare the overall performance and nudge the states and UTs to shift the focus from inputs and outputs to outcome.

“States are beginning to take cognizance of indices such as State Health Index and use them in their policymaking and resource allocation. This report is an example of both competitive and cooperative federalism,” Niti Aayog vice chairman Rajiv Kumar said.

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