NGOs seeks more investment in health, education

Mumbai: Ahead of the presentation of the Union Budget 2022-23 on February 1, India's leading non-profit organizations have sought increased investment in the areas of health and education, including targeted schemes for improved impact. Over the past two years, India's non-profit sector has done exceptional service in easing the shock of the pandemic to a large section of our population. Non-profit organizations have been the crucial last mile connect to help for people at the end of the line. People most in need have found relief and access to help through interventions made by social sector organizations.

The sector seeks help and has expectations from Union Budget 2022-23. We spoke to leaders of some of the country's leading non-profit organizations to understand their expectations of the upcoming Union Budget. Following are their observations.

Dr Kaushik Sarkar, Director, Institute for Malaria and Climate Solutions, and Director-in-Charge, Malaria No More India said, "India's win against the Covid pandemic is an example of incredible leadership towards strengthening the health systems and introducing and scaling disruptive innovations. However, the sustenance of the reforms and translation across health and wellness systems requires a multi-sectoral commitment leveraging public, private, and people's partnership. Therefore, the new budget will be critical in terms of provisioning opportunities for the communities, private sector, and civil societies to take the country to a new league of resilient nations, building on the robust results-based governance of India."

The global pandemic has been tough on the social sector. Non-profit organizations have been tested as their resources and capacities have been stretched to the limit. They have persevered and delivered relief to millions of disadvantaged Indians.

Smile Foundation is a pan India organization directly benefiting over 1.5 million children and families through more than 400 welfare projects on education, healthcare, livelihood, and women empowerment spread across 2,000 villages and urban slums in 25 states. The organization wants increased investment in healthcare delivery.