CAG looks to condust audit of country’s health cover

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) is in the process of doing a comprehensive audit of the country’s health sector, and is adopting an approach different from its earlier exercises, whose remit was relatively narrow.

“Earlier we were auditing on the basis of some research and state-specific issues. This time we are doing it comprehensively and will audit it (the health sector) on common parameters, common objectives, and common risk analyses so that the entire country’s picture is accounted for,” a senior official told.

Earlier, state-level auditors general (AGs) would choose a subject such as health management, procurement, or vacancies, and audit particular aspects of that.

For instance, a CAG report had shown earlier this year the health sector in Bihar was far from optimum because there was a significant shortfall of facilities and staff.

Ths CAG had conducted performance audits in five districts – Patna, Biharsharif, Hajipur, Jehanabad, and Madhepura – for the period 2014-15 to 2019-20, and found a 52-92 per cent shortage of beds under the Indian Public Health Standards in the district hospitals.