[Answered] Elaborate the steps taken by the Government of India to meet the challenges of Healthcare in India.

Ans- 

For any country to function efficiently and develop sustainably, it is imperative to have robust, efficient and effective healthcare system that is accessible to population economically, geographically and socially. 

Government of India has taken several steps over the years to address health care challenges in India: 

• Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to provides healthcare insurance to bottom 40% of the population to reduce out of pocket expenditure on healthcare  
• Health and wellness centres component of Ayushman Bharat scheme to convert the existing primary health centres and subcentres into HWCs to provide essential drugs and diagnostic services. 
•  Health Infrastructure Mission launched in 2021, aims to create a strong nationwide healthcare and disease surveillance infrastructure. 
• The Digital Health Mission can enhance efficiency of the health systems in a variety of ways like better data collection and analysis, comprehensive health records, telemedicine among others. 

• National health policy 2017 which provides vision for healthcare policies in India. 
• National health mission, ICDS, Vaccination programs like intensified mission Indradhanush to cater to child health. 
• Focus on behavioral programs like Swachh Bharat Mission to improve sanitation and preventive health care. 
• A broader vision of health beyond healthcare by merging allocations to water, sanitation, nutrition and air pollution in budget 2021. 
• Telemedicine services like E- Sanjeevni and subsidised medicine through Jann Ausadhi Kendra. 

• Establishment of National medical commission to improve human resource capacity. 

Even after various steps taken by government of India, health care system still faces several challenges. 

• Low expenditure in healthcare about 1.5% of GDP, compared to similarly placed countries. 
• Out of pocket expenditure is 60%, which is considerably high. 
• Low doctor patient ratio of 1:1456, where prescribed (1:1000 prescribed by WHO). 
• Rural Urban divide, 70% population lives in rural areas whereas 73%  beds are in urban areas. 
• Weaker PHC sector facing shortage of staff and resources. 

• Increased burden of non communicable diseases, about 65% of death in India is caused by NCDs. 
• India’s health care system is largely dependent on private sector, which caters to around 70% of population’s needs. 
• Inadequate infrastructure, weak governance and accountability. 

To address these existing challenges following steps can be taken  

• Increase the expenditure on health to 5-6% of GDP. 
• More impetus on preventive care through HWCs with special focus on rural areas. 
• Improving human resource capacity by increasing the number of medical colleges and nursing colleges. 
• Leveraging technology to streamline operational and clinical processes. 

• More focus on traditional indigenous knowledge system to increase the reach of health system. 
• Learning from global best practices like polyclinics of Cuba. 
• Increased role of public sector in health care and regulation of private healthcare providers. 
• Reforms in governance system and convergence of various initiatives to achieve better results. 

The COVID-19 pandemic brought the weaknesses of the Indian health care system to the fore. To become truly atmanirbhar and a global leader it is imperative to address the existing challenges of health care system.