A joint study released by research firm Ernst & Young and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) titled 'Fostering quality healthcare for all' illustrates current characteristics of the Indian healthcare landscape and the gaps that exist between the healthcare needs of the consumer and the existing delivery mechanism. The report identifies lack of medical infrastructure, inequity in the distribution of healthcare facilities, low accessibility of healthcare facilities and lack of initiatives assuring the consumers about the quality of medical care provided as key challenges that need to be addressed for India to achieve its aspiration towards 'quality healthcare for all.'
The report clearly indicates that from the current status where we stand, a reactive approach will not help. Instead, a proactive multi-pronged approach is required which not only addresses the infrastructure needs for curative care but equally focuses on preventive and promotive aspects. This requires comprehensive planning among different government entities. India's disease burden from non-communicable disease is likely to double by 2020. With this alarming increase, it is imperative to focus on promoting healthy lifestyles and standards of wellness.
This is an opportunity for the private sector to develop the wellness business and industry bodies should work towards nurturing this effort, says the report. According to the study, to reach the aspiration of two hospital beds per thousand population, an additional 17.5 lakh beds and requisite infrastructure for medical education would need to be created by year 2025. For this, an estimated investment of Rs 3,70,000 crore ($ 86 billion) would be required. Kali Prasad, Partner, Health Sciences Practice, Ernst & Young stated, "The healthcare sector is witnessing an exponential growth and attracting several players and investors.
While the Government has undertaken positive initiatives and recognised the sector as priority in the eleventh five-year-plan, still a lot needs to be done. The report suggests strategies based on three critical indices of access, affordability and assurance— which can improve quality healthcare for the Indian consumer."
He further added, "What is required is a positive, pro-active approach from all stakeholders to re-organise the healthcare system. Apart from funds, this would require stakeholders to adopt a joint strategy in building awareness in society to demand quality healthcare, advocating right to quality healthcare at a political level and demanding legislative changes to facilitate availability of quality healthcare".
The report identifies boosting human resources and public private partnership as key to achieving India's aim of 'quality healthcare for all.' The report underscores the importance of public private partnership in augmenting resources for growth of secondary and tertiary healthcare systems in the country. The managerial capabilities of private sector can be leveraged to enhance the efficiency of government infrastructure.
Considering there is a net addition of around 17,000 doctors per year against a requirement of seven lakh additional doctors by the year 2025, additional medical colleges would need to be set up. India will need to proactively address some of the policy impediments which have limited addition of medical education facilities in this country. Such initiatives would more than double the number of doctors by the year 2025, thus increasing the number of doctors from 0.6 to around 1.0 doctor per thousand population.
FICCI-Ernst & Young study recommends five key initiatives that need to be undertaken in the journey towards quality healthcare for all:
- Reduce the disease burden itself by promoting health and focusing on preventive care.
- Convert latent need into active demand for healthcare by enhancing affordability of healthcare services.
- To cater to the unleashed demand, focus on building adequate physical healthcare infrastructure which is capable and is equitably distributed.
- Enhance assurance on the quality of healthcare delivered.
- To stimulate development of healthcare system capacity, generate periodic health intelligence information at micro level.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment