In a crucial domain like the public healthcare system the Indian State should play a vital role to contain the adverse impact of marketisation of the system. Suggest some measures through which the State can enhance the reach of public healthcare at the grassroots level. (250 words)
The public healthcare system is crucial for ensuring equitable access to health services in India, especially for vulnerable populations. However, the growing marketization of healthcare has limited access and affordability, necessitating active state intervention to enhance healthcare reach at the grassroots level.
Measures to Enhance Public Healthcare at the Grassroots Level
- Strengthening Primary Healthcare Infrastructure: Improve the functionality of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) by ensuring adequate staffing, equipment, and essential medicines, especially in rural areas.
- Ayushman Bharat Initiative: Expand the Ayushman Bharat-Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) network to provide comprehensive healthcare services, including preventive, promotive, and curative care at the local level.
- Telemedicine Services: Implement telemedicine programs to bridge the urban-rural healthcare divide, enabling remote consultations, diagnosis, and treatment, particularly in underserved areas.
- Increased Healthcare Funding: Allocate at least 2.5% of GDP to health expenditure, as recommended by the National Health Policy 2017, to improve public health infrastructure and services.
- Community Health Workers Engagement: Strengthen the role of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) through regular training, fair compensation, and better support systems to extend healthcare services effectively.
- Public Health Awareness Campaigns: Conduct awareness campaigns focusing on preventive healthcare, maternal and child health, sanitation, and nutrition to educate communities on health practices.
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Collaborate with private players to improve service delivery and infrastructure while ensuring affordability and quality standards are maintained.
- Mobile Health Clinics: Deploy mobile health units in remote areas to provide essential medical services, screenings, and vaccinations, improving access for marginalized communities.
Conclusion: To mitigate the impact of marketization, the Indian State must adopt a multi-pronged approach, ensuring robust public healthcare infrastructure and services at the grassroots level. This will create an inclusive, equitable, and accessible healthcare system for all.
