Economics of Health Human Capital in Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract

In this paper an attempt has been made to estimate and analysis the growth and performance of the human capital in Jammu and Kashmir. Given different components of the human capital only health human capital is estimated and analyzed. The health human capital as a proxy variable for human capital is analyzed for inputs and outputs. The proxy variables included total expenditure on health, health expenditure as percentage share of total expenditure and GSDP, quality variables like institutional availability and man power, medical attention received, life expectancy average, mortality rates by sex and residence, birth and death rates, natural growth rates, child mortality, total fertility. Both econometrics and non-econometrics methods were used for estimation. The study concludes that health human capital has increased in the state over time but pace and acceleration was low. Following the findings the study recommends the attention of government to increase the standard of health in Jammu and Kashmir. Substantial amount of government budgetary allocation should be directed towards the health sector and minimization of gap of urban rural access to health care is strongly recommended by increasing infrastructure.  Last but not least the availability of institutions and increase in the man power engaged in health sector must be increased.