Healthcare in India – Role of the Government

 

Chapter Summary: Healthcare in India – Role of the Government

Title for the Columns:

“Contrasts in India's Healthcare System: Achievements vs. Challenges”

Key Takeaways:

1. India’s Strengths in Healthcare:

• Large medical workforce: India produces over 30,000 new doctors annually, with many medical colleges.

• Growing infrastructure: Government hospitals have increased from 2,717 (1950) to 23,583 (2017).

• Medical tourism: India attracts patients from many countries due to high-quality, low-cost private medical services.

• Pharmaceutical powerhouse: India is one of the world’s top medicine producers and exporters.

2. Ground Realities & Challenges:

• Urban-rural divide: Most doctors practice in urban areas. Rural people travel long distances for treatment.

• Unchanging health indicators: Diseases like tuberculosis and malaria still claim lives. Rates have not dropped significantly since Independence.

• Waterborne diseases: Poor sanitation leads to diseases like cholera and hepatitis; over 21% of diseases are caused by unsafe water.

• Malnutrition: Half of India's children are undernourished, showing poor food security and health access.

• Unequal care access: Quality treatment is available to the rich, while the poor struggle in overcrowded public hospitals.

3. Public vs. Private Healthcare: A Tale of Two Friends

Through the contrasting experiences of Aman and Ranjan, we see the deep economic divide in healthcare:

Ranjan’s Private Hospital Experience:

• Sleek, posh environment (like a five-star hotel).

• Prompt attention, polite staff, and advanced tests.

• Music, jokes, and comfort during testing.

• Immediate results, consistent doctor consultation.

• High cost: ₹500 just at the reception, plus expensive medicines.

Aman’s Government Hospital Experience:

• Delayed visit due to financial concerns.

• Long queues and crowding.

• Delay in test results (3 days).

• Inconsistent doctors (different one each visit).

• Minimal medication, free or low cost, but impersonal service.

4. The Paradox of Indian Healthcare:

India has:

• The knowledge (experienced doctors, research),

• The resources (hospitals, medicine, infrastructure),

• And trained professionals…

Yet, it fails to ensure healthcare for all.

This paradox—having the capability but failing to deliver—points to issues in planning, implementation, and inequality in service delivery.

5. Why Is Government Involvement Necessary?

Healthcare is a public responsibility. It cannot be left only to private institutions, as they work for profit. The government’s role is to ensure:

• Affordable and accessible healthcare for all, especially the poor.

• Regulation of private hospitals (to avoid exploitation).

• Clean water, sanitation, and health awareness.

• Vaccination and disease control.

• Emergency services and rural healthcare infrastructure.

6. Important Questions & Discussion Point:

“In India, it is often said that we are unable to provide health services for all because the government does not have enough money and facilities. After reading the above facts, do you think this is true?”

📝 Answer:
This is not entirely true. India has the money, knowledge, and human resources. The real issue lies in inefficient allocation of funds, corruption, lack of accountability, and poor infrastructure in rural areas. Moreover, there’s too much reliance on private healthcare, which is expensive and not affordable for the majority.

Conclusion:

Health is a fundamental right and a marker of a nation’s development. India has made impressive progress in terms of medical science and healthcare capabilities. However, unequal access, underfunded public hospitals, and poor implementation of policies make healthcare a challenge for many Indians.

The government must focus on strengthening public health infrastructure, improving rural outreach, and reducing health inequality. Only then can India truly provide “healthcare for all.”