HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN INDIA

Health is the state of being a physical, mental and emotional well being of an individual in which the diseases and ailments are absent. Health care comprises of hospitals, medical devices, clinical trials, medical insurances etc. A country’s asset belongs to the well being of its citizens. There is a slogan “ Health is Wealth” meaning if a person is healthy he can work efficiently and productively which ultimately leads help for the development of a country.

In Indian constitution, the health sector comes under the state list and there are different articles related to it which are enlisted in the Indian constitution. The spending on the health sector by India is around 1.3% of the total GDP which is insignificant. There are insufficient hospital beds, 0.7 beds per 1000 population which is far below the global average of 2.6 and WHO’s the benchmark of 3.5. The health sector in India is shoddy due to the following reasons:

1.   An inadequate number of government hospitals.
2.   Staff Shortage in different hospitals.
3.   Dependent on private hospitals.
4.   Negligence of health sector development in rural areas.
5.   Lesser spending by government.
6.   Inadequate Health Insurance schemes.
7.   Inadequate information systems for different health schemes.
8.   Dependent on allopathy medicines.
9.   Out of pocket spent by a person in health is high.
10.   Lack of proper regulations.

The government of India should utilize the GDP amount in health and education more as it is also well stated by the Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi “It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver”. There has been an improvement in the health sectors in recent years without any questions but there is still a long path that is left to be travelled. The followings can be used as a suggestion for the improvement of the health sector:

1.  Government and state should work on health sector bilaterally and in a speedy manner.
2.  “Make in India” initiative’s help can be taken for the development of health equipment and other auxiliary accoutrements.
3.  The universal health scheme should be implemented as soon as possible.
4.  Establishment of more and more primary and advance health care centres in villages.
5.  Implementation of regulation and restriction on private hospitals.
6.  Proper inspection of government hospitals with efficient attendance system.