Healthcare Systems in India in the Twenty-First Century
- A Situational Analysis -
Dr. Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra
Assistant Professor, Community Medicine, VIMSAR, Burla, Sambalpur, Odisha
With its staggering population of over 1.4 (MBBS and traditional AYUSH), nurses,
billion people, India boasts one of the world's paramedics, and support staff. The country has
largest healthcare systems [1]. The Indian over 1.2 million registered doctors, with ongoing
healthcare system is a blend of public and private efforts to address the doctor-to-patient ratio
providers, with the public sector being the imbalance [2,4].
primary source of healthcare services. Despite Affordable Public Healthcare: Healthcare
post-independence developments, India's services in India, especially in the public sector,
healthcare system faces numerous challenges. A are comparatively affordable, making them
World Health Organization report 2000 ranked accessible to a significant portion of the
India's healthcare system at a lowly 112 out of population, especially those unable to afford
190 countries [2]. In 2019, another WHO report on expensive treatments. This affordability has also
universal health coverage placed India at 117 out driven medical tourism in recent years [2,3].
of 188 countries. This analysis will delve into Robust Pharmaceutical Industry: India is
India's healthcare system and future challenges a global leader in the pharmaceutical sector,
using a SWOC (Strengths, Weaknesses, producing a substantial share of the world's
Opportunities, and Challenges) framework. generic drugs. Government initiatives promoting
Public Healthcare System in India affordable healthcare and expanded medication
The public healthcare system in India is access have catalyzed the industry's growth.
overseen by the Ministry of Health and Family Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian
Welfare at the national level, with state health companies like Serum Institute and Bharat
departments managing healthcare at the state Biotech played vital roles in vaccine production
level. The system comprises health and wellness and distribution [2].
centres, primary healthcare centres, community Government Initiatives: The Indian
health centres, sub-divisional hospitals, district government has launched various initiatives to
hospitals, and tertiary care hospitals. Health and enhance healthcare services, such as the
wellness centres, primary healthcare centres, Ayushman Bharat scheme, to provide healthcare
and community health centres are the backbone coverage to more than 500 million
of primary healthcare in rural areas, while district underprivileged citizens. The government
and tertiary care hospitals provide specialized continually introduces new programs and
care for complex medical conditions [3]. schemes to address prevalent health issues,
aligning with global health initiatives [2].
Private Healthcare System in India
In contrast, the private healthcare system Figure1. The SWOC Analysis of Healthcare
in India, particularly in urban and suburban Systems in India
areas, surpasses the public sector in scale. It
offers a broad spectrum of healthcare services,
from primary to specialized and tertiary care.
Private hospitals and clinics predominantly cater
to society's middle and upper echelons.
However, private healthcare in India is
characterized by high costs, with private facilities
charging considerably more than their public
counterparts [3]. Nevertheless, they offer high-
quality care and access to advanced medical
technology. The private healthcare landscape is
fragmented, consisting of numerous small and
medium-sized hospitals and clinics.
Strengths
Abundant Healthcare Professionals:
India boasts one of the world's largest pools of
healthcare professionals, including doctors
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Weaknesses Challenges
Inadquate Infrastructure: The healthcare Ageing Population: India faces the
infrastructure in India, especially in rural areas, is challenge of an ageing population, with more
insufficient. A shortage of hospitals, clinics, and than 100 million individuals aged over 60. The
medical equipment creates barriers to accessing breakdown of the traditional joint family system,
healthcare services [3,5]. combined with the erosion of social support
Poor Quality of Care: Healthcare services structures, poses potential loneliness and other
in India suffer from suboptimal quality, with many psychosocial ailments among the elderly,
healthcare professionals lacking adequate straining the healthcare system. Older
training and experience. This often results in individuals generally require more healthcare
misdiagnoses and inappropriate treatments. services, and the system may struggle to meet
Additionally, a scarcity of human resources in the increased demand [2].
many hospitals, particularly rural ones, further Emergence of New Diseases: The
compromises care quality [4]. appearance of new diseases like COVID-19 can
Insufficient Funding: According to the strain India's healthcare system. The system may
National Health Policy report, India allocates not be adequately prepared to handle
1.2% of its GDP to healthcare. This figure is unexpected outbreaks. Healthcare professionals
significantly lower than that of other developing and medical equipment shortages can
and underdeveloped nations. The dearth of exacerbate the challenge [2,4,5].
funding impedes infrastructure development and Escalating Healthcare Costs: Healthcare
healthcare service enhancement [3,4]. costs in India, particularly corporate hospitals,
High Disease Burden: India grapples with are rising. This can make accessing healthcare
a dual disease burden, featuring a high incidence services challenging, potentially leading to
of infectious diseases expected in developing deteriorating overall health and catastrophic
nations and a surge in non-communicable healthcare expenses [3].
diseases due to adopting unhealthy modern Lack of Political Will and Coordination: A
lifestyles. This exerts substantial pressure on the significant threat to healthcare reform in India is
healthcare system, hindering its ability to provide the absence of political will to drive change. The
adequate services [2]. government may not allocate sufficient funds or
Opportunities implement necessary reforms due to a lack of
Technology Integration: Leveraging understanding of the long-term benefits of
technology, such as telemedicine, can healthcare improvements. Politicians often seek
substantially improve healthcare delivery in immediate and visible effects, hindering
India. Telemedicine was successfully employed healthcare system progress. Additionally,
during the COVID-19 pandemic to extend variations across different states & inconsistent
healthcare services to remote areas, showcasing strategies hinder coordinated efforts [4].
its potential for addressing rural healthcare In conclusion, while India's healthcare
disparities. Electronic medical records can also sector faces numerous challenges, several sub-
enhance care quality. Initiatives like Startup India sectors within the industry have demonstrated
and Make in India can further bolster the impressive performance in recent years. The
healthcare tech sector [2,5]. pharmaceuticals, medical devices, diagnostics,
Medical Tourism Potential: India has the telemedicine, and health insurance industries
potential to become a hub for medical tourism, have all thrived due to the government's push for
attracting patients from across the globe. The affordable and universal healthcare, growing
country boasts world-class hospitals, healthcare demand, and significant investments
exceptional medical expertise, and state-of-the- from domestic and foreign players. These sub-
art healthcare facilities that can draw sectors are poised to continue growing and
international patients [3]. contribute to the overall advancement of India's
Public-Privat Partnerships: Underutilized healthcare industry [2,3,4,5].
public-private partnerships can enhance India's References
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