What are the problems in health system in India. What are the steps taken by Government in health sector. New Health policy 2022.
In this blogpost we will discuss the Condition of Hospitals in India, what are the reasons behind their worse condition and where we lack. We will also discuss what needs to be done to Improve this and The New Health policy of India 2022, what are its major points.
Hospitals are the backbone of any healthcare system, providing medical care and treatment to patients. However, the condition of hospitals in India has been a cause of concern for several decades. Despite being one of the fastest-growing economies, the healthcare system in India faces several challenges, and the condition of hospitals is a reflection of the larger healthcare crisis in the country. Here we will discuss the causes behind the bad condition of hospitals in India, the steps taken by the government to improve them, and what can be done to further improve the situation.
Causes behind the bad condition of hospitals in India
1. Lack of funding: One of the primary causes behind the bad condition of hospitals in India is the lack of funding.
According to the World Bank, India spends only around 3.6% of its GDP on healthcare, which is significantly lower than the global average of 9.9%. The low spending on healthcare leads to a shortage of funds, which directly affects the quality of healthcare services provided in hospitals. The lack of investment also affects the infrastructure of hospitals, as there is a shortage of resources to upgrade and maintain the buildings and equipment.
2. Shortage of Medical Personnel: Another reason behind the poor condition of hospitals is the shortage of healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff. India has a significant shortage of healthcare professionals, with only 0.8 doctors per 1,000 people, which is far lower than the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended ratio of 1:1000. The shortage of healthcare professionals leads to overburdened doctors and nurses, who are often overworked and unable to provide quality care to patients. The shortage of healthcare professionals is further compounded by the lack of proper training and education. Medical education in India is often outdated, and the curriculum is not updated to keep up with the latest medical advancements. The lack of proper training and education leads to a shortage of skilled healthcare professionals, who are equipped to provide quality healthcare services.
3. Poor infrastructure: Many hospitals in India lack basic infrastructure facilities such as clean water, electricity, and proper sanitation. This leads to a high risk of infection and disease, which can be fatal for patients.
4. Corruption: Corruption is a significant challenge in India, and the healthcare sector is not immune to it. Corruption in the procurement of medical equipment, medicines, and supplies often results in substandard equipment and medicines being used in hospitals.The condition of hospitals is also affected by the lack of proper regulation and monitoring. There is a lack of accountability and transparency in the healthcare sector, which often leads to malpractices and corruption. The lack of proper regulation and monitoring also affects the quality of healthcare services provided, as there is no mechanism to ensure that hospitals are providing the best possible care to patients.
The lack of proper regulation and monitoring is also reflected in the inadequate supply chain management of medicines and medical supplies. There are often shortages of essential medicines and medical supplies, which affects the quality of care provided to patients. The lack of proper supply chain management also leads to the sale of counterfeit medicines and medical supplies, which are often of inferior quality and can lead to further health complications.
5. Lack of Awareness and Education: The condition of hospitals is also affected by the lack of awareness and education among the general public. Many people in India do not have access to basic healthcare services, and those who do often do not understand the importance of seeking medical attention. The lack of awareness and education leads to delayed treatment, which can result in further complications and a higher cost of treatment.
You can also go through this report for more information: Challanges to Healthcare in India
Steps taken by the government to improve the condition of hospitals
1. Ayushman Bharat Scheme: In 2018, the Indian government launched the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which provides free healthcare to around 100 million families. Under the scheme, families are entitled to free medical treatment of up to INR 500,000 ($6,785) per year.
2. National Health Mission: The National Health Mission was launched in 2013 to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare to all. The mission aims to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in India, improve access to essential medicines and diagnostics, and increase the availability of skilled medical personnel.
3. Public-Private Partnerships: The Indian government has encouraged public-private partnerships (PPPs) to improve the condition of hospitals. Under PPPs, the private sector is allowed to invest in and manage government hospitals, which helps to improve the quality of care and services provided.
4.Increase in healthcare spending: In the Union Budget 2021-22, the government announced an increase in healthcare spending by 137%. The increased spending is expected to help strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in India, improve access to medical equipment and medicines, and increase the availability of skilled medical personnel.
How can we improve the condition of hospitals in India?
1. Increase funding for healthcare: The government must increase funding for healthcare to improve the condition of hospitals. A higher budget allocation will help to improve the healthcare infrastructure, increase the availability of medical equipment and medicines, and attract and retain qualified medical personnel.
2. Strengthen medical education: Medical education in India must be strengthened to produce qualified medical professionals who can provide quality healthcare. The curriculum must be updated to include the latest medical technologies and practices.
3. Address corruption: Corruption in the procurement of medical equipment, medicines, and supplies must be addressed to ensure that only quality equipment and medicines are used in hospitals.
4. Increase public awareness: Public awareness campaigns can help to create awareness about the importance of healthcare and the need to use healthcare services responsibly. These campaigns can help to reduce the burden.
In conclusion, the poor condition of hospitals in India is a complex issue that requires a multi-faceted approach to address. The lack of investment in the healthcare sector, shortage of healthcare professionals, lack of proper regulation and monitoring, inadequate supply chain management, and lack of awareness and education among the general public are all contributing factors to the poor condition of hospitals in India. To improve the condition of hospitals, the Indian government needs to invest more in the healthcare sector, improve medical education and training, strengthen regulation and monitoring, and increase public awareness and education about the importance of seeking medical attention. Only then can India's healthcare system be improved, and the condition of hospitals be transformed.
New Health Policy of India
India, like many other developing countries, has been grappling with various health challenges for several decades. These challenges range from communicable diseases to non-communicable diseases, malnutrition, inadequate health infrastructure, and so on. However, in recent years, the Indian government has taken several initiatives to address these issues, and one of the most significant of these is the National Health Policy 2022. The National Health Policy 2022 outlines the government's vision and strategy for improving the country's health outcomes over the next decade. Here we will discuss the major points of the new health policy of India 2022.
1. Universal Health Coverage:
The National Health Policy 2022 aims to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) for all citizens by 2025. The policy emphasizes the need for accessible, affordable, and quality health care services for all. The policy proposes the establishment of a National Health Infrastructure Mission (NHIM) to ensure access to healthcare services for all, particularly the underprivileged and marginalized sections of the population.
2. Focus on Primary Health Care:
The policy recognizes the importance of primary health care (PHC) as the foundation of the health system. The policy aims to strengthen the PHC system by improving the quality and availability of services at the grassroots level. The policy proposes the establishment of a network of health and wellness centers (HWCs) across the country to provide comprehensive primary health care services.
3. Integration of AYUSH:
The policy recognizes the potential of traditional systems of medicine, such as Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH), to improve health outcomes. The policy proposes the integration of AYUSH into the mainstream health system to provide holistic and affordable health care services.
4. Strengthening Health Infrastructure:
The policy recognizes the need to strengthen the health infrastructure to improve the quality and availability of health care services. The policy proposes the establishment of a National Health Infrastructure Registry (NHIR) to ensure the availability of real-time data on health infrastructure. The policy also proposes the establishment of a National Medical Commission (NMC) to regulate medical education and practice.
5. Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases:
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major health challenge in India. The policy proposes the implementation of a comprehensive strategy to prevent and control NCDs. The policy proposes the implementation of the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke (NPCDCS) to prevent and control NCDs.
6. Addressing Communicable Diseases:
The policy recognizes the need to address communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, and HIV/AIDS. The policy proposes the implementation of a comprehensive strategy to prevent and control these diseases. The policy proposes the implementation of the National Health Mission (NHM) to improve the health outcomes of the population.
7. Addressing Malnutrition:
The policy recognizes the need to address malnutrition, which is a major health challenge in India. The policy proposes the implementation of a comprehensive strategy to prevent and control malnutrition. The policy proposes the implementation of the National Nutrition Mission (NNM) to improve the nutrition outcomes of the population.
8. Digital Health:
The policy recognizes the potential of digital health technologies to improve health outcomes. The policy proposes the establishment of a National Digital Health Authority (NDHA) to regulate and promote the use of digital health technologies. The policy also proposes the establishment of a National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) to provide affordable and quality health care services through digital platforms.
You can read tge official report from here:New Health Policy
The National Health Policy 2022 is a comprehensive policy document that outlines the government's vision and strategy for improving the country's health outcomes over the next decade. The policy focuses.
Comments