Source: The post Building a Strong Health System for India 2047 has been created, based on the article “For a Viksit Bharat, focus on health” published in “The Hindu” on 20th January 2025
UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Governance-Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health,
Context: The article emphasizes creating a robust health system for India by 2047. It highlights the need for universal health coverage, stronger healthcare infrastructure, digital integration, trained workforce, data-driven policies, and addressing non-communicable diseases, infectious diseases, and climate-related health challenges.
For detailed information on India’s healthcare system on right track read this article here
How can universal health coverage be achieved?
- Increased Public Financing: Health budgets at central and state levels must rise to support expanded services and infrastructure.
- Primary Healthcare-Led Approach: Universal health coverage (UHC) must focus on delivering quality primary care. Ayushman Bharat provides a model for improved care at the grassroots level.
- Training a Skilled Workforce: Address doctor shortages by training technology-enabled frontline health workers and allied professionals to deliver age-appropriate services efficiently.
- Digital Integration: The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission can connect primary care with public insurance programs like PMJAY to ensure seamless service delivery.
- Health Infrastructure Improvements: Ayushman Bharat’s upgraded health infrastructure strengthens the foundation for UHC.
- Disaggregated Data for Equity: District-level data helps address diverse population needs effectively, ensuring inclusivity and equity in healthcare delivery.
For detailed information on India’s Goal for 2047 read this article here
How can digital health systems improve care?
- Efficient Disease Detection: Wastewater surveillance can detect microbial threats and monitor antimicrobial resistance, as mentioned in the article.
- Integrated Patient Data: Combining diagnostic and treatment data across healthcare institutions ensures accurate diagnosis and better treatment outcomes.
- Addressing Public-Private Disconnects: Digital systems bridge gaps between primary care and publicly funded health insurance programs like PMJAY.
- AI-Driven Healthcare: Big data analytics applied to large Indian datasets can create locally relevant diagnostic and treatment algorithms.
- Community Involvement: Digital platforms can crowdsource surveillance data during outbreaks and gather feedback on program implementation.
What challenges do climate and zoonotic diseases pose?
- Climate Change: Rising temperatures and extreme weather increase water-borne diseases and give rise to vector-borne diseases.
- Zoonotic Diseases: These diseases, spread between animals and humans, can cause national outbreaks or global pandemics.
- Surveillance Gaps: Current systems lack real-time zoonotic data across humans, wildlife, and veterinary populations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, India’s path to becoming a developed nation by 2047 depends on a robust health system. By prioritizing universal health coverage, improving digital health integration, and addressing emerging health threats like NCDs and zoonotic diseases, India can ensure a healthy population. Initiatives like Ayushman Bharat and increased data integration are key to achieving these goals.
Question for practice:
Discuss the role of digital health systems in improving healthcare delivery in India.
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