The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on health systems worldwide, surpassing all previous pandemics in recent memory. Even hospitals with the most sophisticated and resilient health systems have seen severe overcrowding in those that were unable to contain the virus in its early stages.It has not only brought unprecedented challenges but also shed light on the critical importance of public health infrastructure and strategies. As countries like India navigate through the aftermath of the pandemic, public health has emerged as a budding area of growth and development.
Crisis have been known to make significant changes to the health systems easier such as universal health care (UHC), which are typically opposed during times of normalcy. In 1948, the UK nationalized hospitals and organized general practitioners into gatekeepers under the NHS, transitioning from a partial, fragmented system to a universal, tax-financed one. The 1999 Izmit earthquake in Turkey revealed the shortcomings of Healthcare systems in the country and raised public expectations for health services, leading to the initiation of the Turkish Health Transformation Program (HTP).
In the past, India has achieved significant successes such as eradicating smallpox, eliminating polio, reducing HIV incidence and deaths, and advancing efforts towards TB elimination. The country has also effectively detected, identified, and managed numerous outbreaks of vector-borne diseases, acute encephalitis syndromes, acute febrile illnesses, diarrheal diseases, and respiratory illnesses. Infrastructure investments, increased budgets and more health workforce will be necessary to build a more robust healthcare system going forward.
As per the vision 2035 document published by NITI AYOG in 2019 has suggested four new building blocks for Indian Healthsystem Reform- Pooling of Healthcare resources, purchasing of healthcare services, organisation and provision of healthcare services and Digital health. There exist significant discrepancies in health outcomes between and within states, with socioeconomically disadvantaged populations being especially susceptible to disparities in the availability and quality of healthcare services. Moreover, the dual burden of illness- (non-communicable diseases in addition to the communicable diseases) has increased the complexity of the health systems. The government’s health spending is 1.13% of GDP, much lower than other nations, leading households to cover 62% of healthcare costs at the point of service.
India faces challenges with inadequate and fragmented healthcare services. More than 98% of facilities employ fewer than ten people, and IT systems lack standardization and inter-operability, limiting data availability for informed health policy decisions. Government-led strategic stewardship in strengthening health systems will significantly enhance the productivity of the working-age population. This will help India unlock its demographic dividend in the next 10-15 years, leading to increased economic growth. Improving health insurance schemes reduces out-of-pocket expenses, enhances patient protection, and boosts consumer trust. This fosters a competitive healthcare industry and potential growth in medical tourism.
In conclusion, the post-pandemic era presents a critical juncture for India to reimagine and transform its healthcare sector, driving towards a more inclusive, efficient, and resilient system that benefits all citizens and contributes to global health advancements.
By: Dr.Retisha Sharma
Associate Consultant-Public Health
Integra Ventures