In the heart of India’s ambitious health landscape beats a commitment that transcends boundaries and defies disparities — the steadfast promise of “Leaving No One Behind” under the umbrella of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Amidst the kaleidoscope of challenges, innovations, and diverse narratives that define the nation, the principle of inclusivity stands tall, heralding a transformative era in public health. India’s pioneering efforts ensure that health becomes an inclusive right, not a privilege. The government has launched various initiatives to enhance the healthcare system.
The National Health Mission aims to improve the accessibility of medical equipment and supplies, while simultaneously encouraging community involvement in healthcare decision-making and service delivery. Additionally, the flagship insurance programme Ayushman Bharat offers coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation per family. Moreover, there have been diverse innovations in healthcare such as affordable medical devices and inventive healthcare delivery approaches. The regulatory framework is also transforming to ensure patient safety and foster quality care while managing expenses.
From harnessing technology to bolstering primary healthcare, the sector is gearing up for a paradigm shift aimed at ensuring accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare for all. As India strives for better health outcomes, it is imperative to focus on key concerns that continue to impact the effectiveness and inclusivity of health services. With the 2024 General Assembly Elections coming up, there are several strategies, policies, and grassroots initiatives that can help the government shape a health system that serves everyone. Here are the critical focus areas that are set to shape the trajectory:
Bolstering primary healthcare by incentivising private players
One of the most pressing issues in India’s health scenario is unequal access. Urban-rural disparities and regional imbalances persist, preventing many people, especially those in remote areas, from accessing essential health services. This situation highlights the urgent need for strengthening the primary healthcare system as a pivotal strategy to bridge these gaps.
Primary healthcare helps in early disease management, limits out-of-pocket costs, and eases the strain on secondary and tertiary health systems. However, the emphasis on preventive care and well-being should not be confined solely to Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs). It should extend to a collaborative effort by incentivising private players to establish a network of HWCs across the country. This would encompass partnerships with general practitioners, diagnostic and imaging centers, polyclinics, nursing homes, and similar small healthcare entities, for delivering high-quality primary health services across both rural and urban areas.
Leveraging indigenous manufacturing capacities
India’s healthcare landscape has witnessed remarkable advancements, yet it grapples with a significant dependency on imported med-tech devices. Several factors such as a lack of technological sophistication, insufficient quality standards, and limited focus on research and development contribute to this reliance.
By harnessing local production capabilities, India can reduce its dependency on expensive imported medical equipment and biological products, thereby lowering production costs and making healthcare more cost-effective. Moreover, partnering with large capital investors and leveraging intellectual capital can play a pivotal role in sustaining this production, contributing to the industry’s growth and self-reliance.
Policymakers also need to focus on increasing investments in infrastructure development, upgrading existing facilities, and investing in state-of-the-art medical equipment and technology for diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.
Also Read: Empowering women: Unlocking the vitality of health insurance
Harnessing the expertise of communicators
India is grappling with a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which poses a significant challenge to its healthcare system. Despite the formulation of well-intentioned healthcare policies and awareness strategies by the government, a significant challenge persists in their effective penetration across the entire country.
The government can strategically leverage healthcare communicators for disseminating critical information, promoting preventive measures, and encouraging positive health behaviours among the public. Whether addressing vaccination campaigns, promoting healthy lifestyle choices, or disseminating information during public health emergencies, skilled communicators play a crucial role in fostering understanding and trust among diverse communities. They can employ various channels, including social media, traditional media, and community outreach programmes, to convey accurate and easily understandable health messages.
For example, the success of the COVID-19 vaccination programme can be attributed in large part to the effective communication strategies employed by government and health communicators. From the outset, clear and transparent communication played a crucial role in building public trust and understanding. These efforts addressed common concerns and myths, ensuring that the public was well-informed and confident in the vaccination process. It served as a testament to the power of well-crafted and inclusive communication strategies in mobilising communities, dispelling misinformation, and achieving a collective goal for public health.
The way forward
Creating an integrated and interconnected health ecosystem in India, spanning from diagnosis to treatment and beyond is imperative to address the evolving healthcare landscape and ensure comprehensive patient care. One of the key advantages of an integrated health ecosystem is the improvement in diagnostic accuracy and speed. Moreover, a connected system promotes preventive healthcare measures by allowing real-time monitoring of health metrics, leading to timely interventions and personalised treatment plans. In the post-treatment and recovery phase, such a system ensures ongoing support and monitoring.
The intricate web of challenges woven into the fabric of the Indian health ecosystem underscores the urgency for comprehensive and sustainable reforms. While technological advancements help build a robust system, bridging the urban-rural divide and ensuring equitable distribution of resources must remain at the forefront of policy agendas. Collaborative efforts between the government, private sector, and non-governmental organisations are also imperative to facilitate systemic changes that prioritise preventive care, bolster primary healthcare services, and cultivate a culture of health awareness. As India aims for a healthier and more resilient population, prioritising these concerns will pave the way for a more effective, accessible, and inclusive ecosystem.
Aman Gupta, Managing Partner, Health Practice Asia Lead, SPAG- A FINN Partners
