In the NITI Aayog's annual health index for the Covid year of 2020-2021, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana have emerged as the top performers among the larger states in the country.
The index measures the performance of states and UTs on "a weighted composite score incorporating 24 health performance indicators." It assesses states and UTs on two parameters - incremental performance (year-on-year progress) and overall performance. Regions are categorised as larger states, smaller states, and UTs before ranking them on the basis of their scores.
Among 19 larger states, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana occupied first, second, and third place respectively in terms of overall performance. Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Odisha emerged as the top three performers in terms of incremental performance.
Among the eight smaller states, Tripura, Sikkim, and Goa showed the best overall performances. Among the eight UTs, Lakshadweep has been ranked as the top performer in terms of overall performance.
The fifth health index report (2020-2021) was supposed to be released by December 2022 but it has not been made public yet. The NITI Aayog shared the report titled 'Healthy States Progressive India Report on the Ranks of States and Union Territories' with the Health Ministry. A NITI Aayog official told The Indian Express that the report will be "released in due course".
According to the outlet, Bihar (19th), Uttar Pradesh (18th), and Madhya Pradesh (17th) are at the bottom in terms of overall performance among larger states. Arunachal Pradesh (6th), Nagaland (7th), and Manipur (8th) are at the bottom among smaller states. Among UTs, Delhi ranked at the bottom.
In the last health index report for 2019-2020, Kerala and Tamil Nadu were on top in overall performance among larger states. Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Assam were the top three states in terms of annual incremental performance.
Neonatal mortality rate, total fertility rate, the sex ratio at birth, immunisation coverage, the proportion of institutional deliveries, the total case notification rate of tuberculosis, and the proportion of people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy are among the indicators under the health outcomes category assessed for the report.
Health infrastructure available, including the proportion of functional 24X7 primary healthcare centres, districts with functional cardiac care units, and vacancies in healthcare provider positions are assessed under the key inputs/processes category.
The proportion of institutional deliveries, average occupancy (in months) of three key posts at the state level, average occupancy (in months) of the chief medical officer, and days taken for fund transfer are assessed under governance and information.