Health Sector

Healthcare Sector: It comprises hospitals, medical devices, clinical trials, outsourcing, telemedicine, medical tourism, health insurance and medical equipment.
India’s healthcare delivery system is categorised into two major components – public and private.
- Public Sector: It comprises limited secondary and tertiary care institutions in key cities and focuses on providing basic healthcare facilities in the form of Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) in rural areas.
- Private Sector: The private sector provides the majority of secondary, tertiary, and quaternary care institutions with a major concentration in metros, tier-I, and tier-II cities.
Medical Tourism: India ranks 10th in Medical Tourism Index (MTI) for 2020-2021 out of 46 destinations in the world.

Challenges in the sector

Infrastructure and Accessibility:
- Uneven Distribution: Public healthcare facilities, especially those offering specialised care, are concentrated in urban areas. Rural communities often lack access to quality medical care.
- Limited Resources: Public hospitals and clinics often struggle with a shortage of beds, medical equipment, and qualified personnel.
- Sanitation and Hygiene Issues: Maintaining proper sanitation and hygiene standards can be a challenge in some healthcare facilities, impacting patient safety.
Affordability and Equity:
- Out-of-Pocket Expenditure: A significant portion of healthcare costs are borne by patients themselves, creating a burden for low-income families.
- Limited Health Insurance Coverage: Health insurance penetration remains low, particularly in rural areas, leaving many vulnerable to financial hardship during medical emergencies.
Human Resources:
- Shortage of Medical Staff: There’s a shortage of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, leading to overworked staff and potentially compromised patient care.
- Unequal Distribution of Personnel: Specialists tend to be concentrated in urban areas, further limiting access to specialised care in rural regions.
Quality and Regulation:
- Uneven Standards of Care: The quality of care can vary significantly between public and private facilities, and even within the private sector itself.
- Limited Regulation: Stricter enforcement of quality standards and regulations across all healthcare providers is necessary.
Emerging Challenges:
- Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases: The rise of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease puts a strain on healthcare resources.
- Growing Demand for Mental Health Services: Mental health awareness is increasing, but there’s a lack of qualified professionals and accessible mental healthcare services.

Way to overcome the challenges

Increase in Public Spending: India’s healthcare spending is 3.6% of GDP, including out-of-pocket and public expenditure.
Infrastructure Development: Invest in building and upgrading healthcare infrastructure, including hospitals, clinics, and research facilities.
Healthcare Education and Training: Strengthen medical education and training programs to produce skilled healthcare professionals.
Research and Innovation: Foster a culture of research and innovation in healthcare. Provide incentives for pharmaceutical and biotech companies to conduct research and develop new treatments.
Telemedicine and Digital Health: Promote the use of telemedicine and digital health solutions to increase access to healthcare services, especially in rural areas.
Regulatory Reforms: Streamline and simplify regulatory processes to facilitate faster approval of drugs, medical devices, and healthcare technologies. Ensure a transparent and efficient regulatory framework.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Encourage collaborations between the government, private sector, and non-profit organisations to leverage resources and expertise.
Health Insurance and Financing: Implement and expand health insurance schemes to provide financial protection to citizens.
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: Focus on preventive healthcare measures to reduce the burden of diseases.
Quality Standards and Accreditation: Establish and enforce stringent quality standards for healthcare services.
Encourage healthcare facilities to obtain international accreditation to enhance their credibility.
Medical Tourism Promotion: Develop and promote medical tourism by offering high-quality healthcare services at competitive prices.

Government Schemes

National Digital Health Mission (NDHM): Launched in 2020, NDHM aims to create a digital health ecosystem, including health IDs for citizens and the establishment of a national digital health infrastructure.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY): AB-PMJAY, launched in 2018, is a national health protection scheme that provides financial protection to over 100 million families for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation.
National Health Policy 2017: The National Health Policy outlines the government’s vision to achieve the highest possible level of health and well-being for all and emphasises preventive and promotive healthcare.
Health and Wellness Centers (HWCs): The government is working towards transforming primary health centres into HWCs to provide comprehensive primary healthcare services, including preventive and promotive care.
Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY): PMSSY aims to enhance tertiary care capacities and strengthen medical education in the country by setting up new AIIMS (All India Institutes of Medical Sciences) institutions and upgrading existing government medical colleges.
Jan Aushadhi Scheme: The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) aims to provide quality generic medicines at affordable prices through Jan Aushadhi Kendras.

Way Forward

Expansion of genomic surveillance and wastewater analysis to monitor diseases across human, livestock, and environmental sectors.
Continued engagement with international partners to establish a global network of ‘One Health’ institutes and advance the goal of ‘Health for All’.