Need to address corruption in India’s health system comprehensively

Source: The post needs to address corruption in India’s health system comprehensively has been created, based on the article “Crime, health-worker safety and a self-examination” published in “The Hindu” on 27th August 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 – Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health

Context: The article discusses the issue of medical corruption in India, especially following the death of a resident doctor. It highlights that improving hospital security and laws is not enough. It argues for a national task force to address corruption in the health system comprehensively.

For detailed information on Violence against healthcare professionals read this article here

What triggered the protests by resident doctors?

1. In 2017, Maharashtra witnessed heated protests by resident doctors after a series of violent attacks on medical personnel.
2. These attacks led to demands for better security in public hospitals and stronger legal actions against the perpetrators.
3. However, these solutions were mostly reactive, lacking deeper analysis of the underlying issues.

What sparked recent concerns in Kolkata?

1. A gruesome incident involving the death of a resident doctor in Kolkata has drawn national attention.
2. The Supreme Court of India took notice and initiated proceedings, leading to the formation of a national task force to improve hospital safety. Measures include enhancing infrastructure, installing CCTV cameras, and providing safe transport for night shifts.

How does the West Bengal government address the issue?

1. The West Bengal government launched the ‘Rattierer Saathi’ program to improve the safety of women working night shifts, especially in medical settings.
2. This initiative, while important, risks oversimplifying the issue by equating it with general health worker violence or women’s safety concerns.

For detailed information on Addressing Violence Against Women Doctors read this article here

Why are conventional solutions inadequate?

1. Traditional approaches to health worker violence, like improving hospital security and creating new laws, have not effectively solved the problem.
2. One reason is the chronic underfunding of the health sector.
3. Additionally, the role of corruption in deteriorating public health services has been largely overlooked, despite its significant impact.

How significant is corruption in the health sector?

1. The World Health Organization estimates that corruption costs $455 billion annually worldwide, which is more than the amount needed to provide universal health coverage.
2. In many developing countries, corruption is a major cause of healthcare crises, surpassing even the lack of funds.
3. In India, discussions on medical corruption have mostly focused on private sector issues, ignoring its criminal dimensions in the public sector.

What Should be Done?

1. Solutions should include increasing transparency, accountability, and oversight.
2. Need for better whistle-blower protections, digitalization of public management systems, and minimizing political interference.
3. Aim to modernize the outdated public hospital system in India.

Question for practice:

Examine how corruption and underfunding contribute to the ineffectiveness of traditional solutions to violence against healthcare professionals in India.