Niti health index to rank states on measurable indicators

`A composite index would be calculated which focuses on measuring the `level` of health status of each State,` the NITI Aayog`s Health Book said.

New Delhi: Niti Aayog's health index will rank states on the basis of their performance on 'measurable' indicators like infant mortality rate, sex ratio at birth and functional 24x7 public health centres.

"The maximum weightage is awarded to measurable outcomes (in ranking states on the basis of their performance) since these remain the focus of achievement," according to the 'Health Book' released by the government think tank today.

The Aayog yesterday launched the 'Performance on Health Outcomes' index which will be used to propel action in the states to improve health outcomes and improve data collection systems.

"A composite index would be calculated which focuses on measuring the 'level' of health status of each State (calculated as a weighted average of the various indicators). The change in the index from the base year to a reference year, and in each subsequent year, will be the measure of incremental improvement of each state, relative to its own baseline performance," the NITI Aayog's Health Book said.

States/UTs will be ranked in categories to ensure comparison among similar entities.

According to the Hand Book, indicators have been selected based on their periodic availability through existing data sources such as the Sample Registration System (SRS), Civil Registration System (CRS) and Health Management Information Systems (HMIS).

A decision on inclusion of all indicators for calculation of the composite index will be taken on the basis of #nal validation and analysis of data, it said.

NITI Aayog is developing a web portal that will provide a pre-designed format for states to provide the data on the indicators.

This will then be verified by an independent third party agency and then an index for all the States will be published.

"It is anticipated that this health index will assist in state level monitoring of performance, serve as an input for providing performance based incentives and improvement in health outcomes, thereby also meeting the citizens' expectations," the Health Book said.