This article analyses the technical efficiency of public healthcare systems within various states of India. Slacks-based efficiency model (SBM) to compare the efficiencies of the public healthcare systems of selected Indian states has been used. A comparison of budget documents and government responses during the pandemic revealed the changing stereotypical stand of the Central Government towards the health sector, especially after the advent of the pandemic. Further, the study found that the public healthcare systems of four states (Bihar, Kerala, Maharashtra and NCT of Delhi) are SBM efficient. Healthcare resources are over-utilised in most states, but health outcomes still need to be improved. The study recommends connecting poor and illiterate citizens in remote villages with public health utilities to improve health outcomes.
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