EDITORIAL ANALYSIS : Freedom from dependence, a new era in health care
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: The Hindu
• Prelims: Current events of national importance, medical tourism, Make in India, Ayushman Bharat, National health mission, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), GDP, National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions Act, 2021 etc
• Mains GS Paper I & II: Development and management of social sectors/services related to Health and education etc
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
• India is recognised globally for its world-class medical services, attracting patients from over 147 countries. Until the 1980s, it was a common practice for affluent Indians to seek advanced medical treatments abroad, especially in western countries
• Until the 1980s, it was a common practice for affluent Indians to seek advanced medical treatments abroad, especially in western countries
INSIGHTS ON THE ISSUE
Context
Public Health:
• It is the science of protecting the safety and improving the health of communities through education, policy making and research for disease and injury prevention.
Private sector in Healthcare:
• Private spending constitutes nearly 60% of overall expenditure on health.
• The private sector in India is dispersed: Marked inequities between rural and urban areas and widespread market failure.
• The income disparities, backwardness, and under-regulation incentivises the private sector to differentiate into a host of organizations, each serving its own customer base.
Medical and wellness tourism:
• It refers to the practice of traveling to another location to receive medical treatment or to improve one’s health and wellbeing.
• These types of tourism are growing in popularity as people become more interested in alternative healthcare options and seek out high-quality medical care at a lower cost.
Economic implications for being medical destination:
• According to recent studies, India saves billions in foreign exchange annually as fewer Indians need to travel abroad for medical treatments.
• The cost of treatment in India is significantly lower than in western countries, with the same, if not better, quality of care. It has helped in retaining valuable foreign exchange and positioned India as a cost-effective health-care destination.
• It has helped in retaining valuable foreign exchange and positioned India as a cost-effective health-care destination.
• The inflow of international patients contributes to the economy, creating jobs and fosters growth in related sectors such as hospitality, transportation, and pharmaceuticals. The influx of medical tourists is estimated to generate revenues of over $9 billion annually, further boosting the nation’s economy.
• The influx of medical tourists is estimated to generate revenues of over $9 billion annually, further boosting the nation’s economy.
• Prime Minister clarion call of “Heal in India” is more than a slogan. It is a vision for positioning India as a global health-care leader.
• It is a vision for positioning India as a global health-care leader.
Progress in medical tourism by India:
• India has made significant strides in medical tourism, though there is still room for growth when compared to our neighboring countries.
• State-of-the-art hospitals, skilled medical professionals, and cost-effective treatments have made India a preferred destination for medical tourists. Patients from across the globe come to India for a wide range of treatments, from complex cardiac surgeries to advanced oncology.
• Patients from across the globe come to India for a wide range of treatments, from complex cardiac surgeries to advanced oncology.
• India’s health-care system has emerged as a beacon of hope and excellence. Treating ailments Providing holistic care that addresses the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of patients.
• Treating ailments
• Providing holistic care that addresses the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of patients.
• Indian health-care professionals are not merely doctors and nurses They are healers who embody compassion, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
• They are healers who embody compassion, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Challenges:
• India continues to import a significant portion of its medical devices It adds to the cost of treatments and impacts our self-reliance.
• It adds to the cost of treatments and impacts our self-reliance.
• According to a study by the Indian Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), India imported medical devices worth over $24 billion in 2021-22.
What Steps need to be taken?
• The “Make in India” initiative increased investments in the domestic production of medical devices. Aim: It will reduce dependency on imports and enhance the affordability and accessibility of medical care.
• Aim: It will reduce dependency on imports and enhance the affordability and accessibility of medical care.
• The burgeoning medical device industry in India is a symbol of growing capability to produce high-quality, affordable health-care solutions. Young innovators and entrepreneurs need to step into the health-care arena and drive further advancements.
• Young innovators and entrepreneurs need to step into the health-care arena and drive further advancements.
• The youth of India hold the keys to our future, their energy, creativity, and passion are essential in driving the next wave of innovations in health care. By embracing careers in this sector, they can play a pivotal role in transforming our health-care system that is self-reliant and a global leader.
• By embracing careers in this sector, they can play a pivotal role in transforming our health-care system that is self-reliant and a global leader.
• Health care offers a unique opportunity to blend science, technology, and compassion to create a lasting impact on society.
Issues with healthcare system:
Initiatives for the Health Care Sector:
• National Health Mission
• Ayushman Bharat.
• Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
• National Medical Commission
• PM National Dialysis Programme.
• Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK).
• Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK).
Way Forward
• From being a nation dependent on the West for medical treatments to becoming a global health-care destination. India should continue to build on this foundation, striving for excellence and self-reliance in health care.
• India should continue to build on this foundation, striving for excellence and self-reliance in health care.
• The journey from dependence to independence in health care is a microcosm of India’s broader path to self-reliance and excellence. It embodies the spirit of innovation, resilience, and service that defines India.
• It embodies the spirit of innovation, resilience, and service that defines India.
• India should strive for a health-care system that is inclusive, innovative, and inspiring. Build a health-care system that is a source of pride for every Indian and a beacon of hope for the world. Jai Hind!
• Build a health-care system that is a source of pride for every Indian and a beacon of hope for the world. Jai Hind!
• Widening the ambit of practice of nurses and allied personnel with strong emphasis on health policy, along with concurrent mainstreaming of such practice roles across the private sector.
• Affordable private healthcare must only come to supplement strong public healthcare, while in turn having a complementary effect in enhancing the efficiency of government health spending.
QUESTION FOR PRACTICE
Besides being a moral imperative of the Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyze.(UPSC 2021) (200 WORDS, 10 MARKS)