NITI Aayog rolls out health index

States to be ranked annually for various indicators.

B.Line: Modi's NITI Aayog looks like the Planning Commission, in New Delhi. on 2.01.15,PIC:Kamal Narang

The government think tank NITI Aayog on Friday rolled out a ‘Performance on Health Outcomes’ index that will rank various States on the basis of their performance on measurable health indicators.

“It [the index] is meant to capture the annual incremental improvements by States, rather than focus on historical achievements,” the Aayog said in a press release.

The index has been developed over several months, with inputs from domestic and international experts, including academicians and development partners as well as feedback from States.

The indicators in the index have been pre-tested in two States.

“This initiative is envisioned to bring about the much required improvements in social sector outcomes, which have not kept pace with the economic growth in this country. It will be used to propel action in the States to improve health outcomes and improve data collection systems,” the think tank said.

The health index will assist in State-level monitoring of performance, serve as an input for providing performance-based incentives and improvement in health outcomes. “It includes indicators in the domains of health outcomes governance and information and a few key inputs and processes.”