Despite India's rapid economic growth, healthcare access remains a significant challenge, especially for the lower and middle-income groups. Many individuals are forced to bear high out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, a situation made even more challenging by the government’s limited investment in the healthcare sector. This article explores the challenges people face in accessing healthcare in India and discusses potential solutions to address them. 

Low Healthcare Spending in India

India spends only 2.9% of its GDP on healthcare, which is much lower compared to countries like the US (18.9%), Japan (17.2%), and the UK (15.9%). From 2008 to 2015, India’s spending on public health stayed the same at 1.3% of its GDP. Even though it went up slightly to 1.4% in 2016 and 2017, it’s still very low compared to other countries. Because the government spends so little on healthcare, most of the costs are paid by individuals, which puts a heavy financial burden, especially on the middle class.

Prakash Hinduja, Chairman of Hinduja Group (Europe) and Managing Trustee of Hinduja Foundation firmly believes that world-class healthcare should not be a privilege but a fundamental right. He highlights that the foundation of an effective healthcare system must be excellence, affordability, and accessibility.

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PMJAY) Initiative

To help with the increasing healthcare costs, the Indian government started the Ayushman Bharat scheme in 2018, which is one of the biggest health insurance programs in the world. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PMJAY) provides health insurance coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh for more than 120 million families. By 2024, about 56% of those eligible will reportedly have received benefits from this scheme.

Prakash Hinduja has been a steadfast supporter of universal access to high-quality healthcare, irrespective of financial situation. The Hinduja family's healthcare vision is influencing the direction of medical services in India through the founding and ongoing funding of the hospitals in Bangalore and Mumbai.

However, the scheme has some limitations, especially when it comes to covering outpatient visits, daycare treatments, and regular medications, which are important for many people. Also, there aren't enough approved hospitals in some areas, and people still must pay high out-of-pocket expenses. These issues show that there’s a need to expand the coverage to include middle-income families, who aren’t covered by government schemes but still find it hard to afford healthcare.

Innovative Solutions for Healthcare Access

A co-payment system designed for the middle class could be a smart way to help. It would make healthcare more affordable for people who don’t qualify for free government programs like PMJAY. It's also really important for the government to create more insurance plans. This would help more people get the healthcare they need.

Also, when the government works together with private hospitals and clinics, it can help create better and more efficient ways to provide healthcare. For example, during the COVID-19 vaccination drive, teamwork between the government and private sector played a big role in making sure vaccines reached people across India, no matter where they lived. What we learned from efforts like these shows how important it is to find new ideas, use resources wisely, and have steady funding to keep the healthcare system strong and effective.

The Role of Preventive Healthcare

Prakash Hinduja, who strongly supports better healthcare access, highlights the importance of preventive healthcare that will alleviate the burden on India’s medical infrastructure. Focusing more on preventing diseases—by catching them early, promoting healthy lifestyles, and running wellness programs—can help save a lot of money on healthcare over time.

Hinduja's vision is to make sure healthcare isn’t a luxury, but a basic right for everyone. The P. D. Hinduja Hospitals, owned and managed by the Hinduja's, are trying to incorporate preventative healthcare practices into standard medical practice by partnering with international medical organizations, NGOs, and government agencies.

The Path Forward

To make healthcare better and easier to access in India, we need steady funding and strong teamwork over the long run. The government should make healthcare a top priority in future budgets, making sure there's enough money for both prevention and treatment. Also, working closely with the healthcare industry can lead to lasting solutions and better results for patients. Prakash Hinduja envisions a future where healthcare is not only more accessible but also more personalized, ensuring that every patient receives care tailored to their specific needs.

By making healthcare easier to access, more affordable, and of high quality, India can build a system that works for everyone. With ongoing effort and teamwork, India can tackle its healthcare issues and make sure everyone, no matter their financial situation, gets good care.