HEALTHCARE - THE NEED TO REGULATE AND ENHANCE

HEALTHCARE - THE NEED TO REGULATE AND ENHANCE

While the state and central budgets for health care spending have increased over the years, they remain low by global standards, not only in comparison with the advanced west but countries from the third world.

Health care is a primary responsibility of the state, especially in a poor nation like India and spending on it certainly needs to be increased in comparison to other sectors.  While life expectancy is 66 years in India, it is 74 in Brazil, 75 in China, 59 in South Africa and 79 in the US. Increasing healthcare spending particularly by the government and more importantly reaching healthcare facilities to all, needs to be ensured.

While safety index in childbirth has shown a healthy progress, in relation to other countries, India has a long way to go in child mortality. While the national figures depicting various facets of health care seem encouraging there is huge disparity in healthcare advancement and dispensing between the advanced and backward states and this is something that needs to be looked into.

There is also lopsided growth in health care between villages,towns and big cities in the same State.Studies also point out that there are lacuna in some areas of health care even in States which are supposedly advanced in health care dispensing, for (eg) Although Tamilnadu is considered a progressive state in healthcare, states like Punjab, Kerala and Haryana are more progressive in some parameters. It is a matter of grave concern that awareness on Immunization and health and hygiene of pregnant and breast-feeding mothers have not reached a large section of the population.

Life-style diseases, hereditary diseases, accident injuries  are areas registering a steady increase, leading to higher personal spending on health and hygiene. This is a critical area needing special attention,While some state governments have health insurance schemes in place,which enable people below the poverty line to access expensive medical care. It should be borne in mind that expanding insurance services and Medical cover will lead to pushing up of costs and excess diagnosis and treatment in private hospitals and therefore like in other markets, creation of a strong regulatory body under the new health policy  is a necessity.

It is a welcome trend that traditional treatment methods like ayurveda, siddha, unani and yoga are increasingly being sought after by the common man. They are also being dispensed alongside allopathic treatment in government institutions. It is essential to expand the scope of these unconventional,low cost treatment modalities which do not have adverse side effects.

There is also a need to have a strong regulatory body to monitor and avoid malpractices in private sector hospitals. This will ensure quality healthcare at reasonable cost are available to people.

Article by

A Mahalingam

Healthcare Administrator and Academician

TwinTech Healthcare Academy, Chennai

Mobile : 97104 85295 / eMail : mahali@mahali.in / Web : mahali.in