Emphasising that state governments should develop a mechanism to address health issues, the minister said: 'I will talk to state chief ministers and health ministers to ask their finance ministers to improve the monetary allocation for health.'

Currently, India spends 1.41 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on health but more efforts are required on the parts of central and state government to mobilise resources.

'It is unfortunate that state governments have failed to spend money (that the central government has provided), which they should have done,' Azad said.

India so far has reported 36 swine flu deaths with the highest 15 reported from Pune followed by nine in Bangalore.