Health System Reform

August 26, 2024

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The topic of health system reform is crucial for India. It faces many challenges when it comes to providing quality, affordable and accessible healthcare services to its large population. This article examines critical issues of India’s health reforms, including the government initiatives and the present challenges.

Introduce yourself

Indian healthcare is complex, with both public and private actors trying to satisfy the diverse needs of a population that exceeds 1.3 billion. The health sector needs to be reformed to improve service delivery, boost efficiency and provide quality healthcare to all citizens.

Indian Health System: Current challenges

2.1. Infrastructure Gaps

India is characterized by a wide disparity when it comes to healthcare infrastructure. Rural areas are in dire need of health services, even though urban areas have the most modern healthcare facilities.

India’s National Health Profile 2020 shows that there are approximately 1.07 million hospitals registered, but a lack of 1.2 millions additional beds.

2.2. Human Resource Challenges

India is suffering from a severe shortage of medical professionals. According to the World Health Organization, India only has 1 doctor per 1,445 citizens. This is well below WHO’s recommended ratio of one doctor per 1,000 people.

Rural-urban healthcare is a starkly divided field. Urban areas are home to the majority of health professionals, while rural areas lack many basic services.

2.3. Financial Barriers

Many households are burdened by the cost of health care services. The National Sample Survey shows that 63 millions people are below poverty level due to medical expenses.

WHO reported that 70% of India’s health expenses are paid for by the patient, which makes it the biggest out-of pocket healthcare market in the world.

2.4. The Disease Burden

India’s healthcare sector is plagued with both communicable and not-communicable illnesses. Health problems like malaria, diabetes, and tuberculosis are a constant challenge.

WHO estimated that 62% of India’s deaths are caused by non-communicable disease.

2.5. Unfair Access to Services

The socioeconomic environment has a significant impact on the disparity in access, which leads to inequality between regions and communities.

Scheduled Tribes & Scheduled Tribes are often less healthy than other groups, due to a lack of essential services.

The most important reforms and initiatives

3.1. National Health Mission

NHM was launched in 2005 with the aim of providing affordable and accessible healthcare for rural communities, with an emphasis on vulnerable groups.

This program strengthens healthcare and is focused on the maternal and infant health, communicable illnesses, and financing of healthcare.

3.2. Ayushman Bharat Scheme

This ambitious program was launched in 2018 and is designed to cover up to INR 5 Lakhs per family, per annum for secondary or tertiary hospitals.

This plan aims at reducing healthcare disparities for those who are economically weaker.

3.3. National Digital Health Mission

NDHM, which will be launched in 2020 and introduce a Unique Health Identification number for each citizen, aims to create a Digital Health Ecosystem.

This program focuses on digitalizing health records, increasing accessibility of health services and improving efficiency.

3.4. New National Medical Commission Act

This act, which was passed in 2019, aims to replace Medical Council of India by the National Medical Commission for the oversight of medical education and practices.

The reform aims to bring transparency and accountability into the health care system and improve the medical education.

Case Studies of Successful Reforms

4.1. Kerala’s Health Model

Kerala’s health system has been successful because of its strong infrastructure in public health, the community participation, and the emphasis placed on prevention.

Through targeted educational and health initiatives, the state achieved a very high Human Development Index.

4.2. Tamil Nadu Public Health System

Tamil Nadu is known for its public health initiatives that focus on disease prevention and maternal care.

State health programs have made a significant impact on reducing maternal, infant, and child mortality.

International Comparisons

India could learn from countries such as Thailand and Brazil that have implemented successful models for universal healthcare.

Thailand’s Universal Coverage Scheme (instituted in 2002) has increased access to healthcare services, and decreased financial barriers. It is a model that India could follow.

Health System Reform in the Future

To reduce the need to pay for services out of pocket, there is an urgent requirement for more public funding.

Mental health, healthcare prevention, and campaigns to inform the public about services available are essential.

In the future, it is important that we integrate modern and traditional health practices. We also need to increase community participation and use technology in healthcare.

You can also read our conclusion.

India needs to reform the healthcare system in order to improve access and quality. For India to maintain progress, it is important that strategic governance be implemented, as well as increased investments, better infrastructure for healthcare, and targeted initiatives. Balanced approach, which incorporates lessons learned from global models while adapting strategies to local contexts will lead to a robust Indian health system.

FAQs

1. What are the major challenges that the Indian health care system faces?

Healthcare infrastructure deficits, a lack of qualified healthcare providers, high costs and unequal access are the main obstacles, particularly in marginalized communities.

2. Ayushman Bharat is a scheme that was launched in India.

Ayushman Bharat provides protection for economically weaker groups by paying up to INR 50,000 per family towards secondary and higher hospitalization.

3. What is the difference between Kerala’s model of health care and other Indian states?

Kerala’s model emphasizes a strong infrastructure for public healthcare, high levels of participation from the community, and preventive health care, which leads to improved health outcomes when compared with other states.

4. What role does technology play in the reform of India’s health care system?

It is important to use technology in order to improve service delivery and record keeping through the National Digital Health Mission.

5. How can India attain universal healthcare?

To achieve universal healthcare in India we need increased public funding and improved infrastructure for healthcare, as well as equitable access to healthcare services.