| Syllabus: GS-I, Subject: Society and Social Justice, Topic: Social Sector-Health, Issue: Health care infrastructure |
Context: Prioritize health care
Key issues:
- Healthcare is often neglected in political discourse.
- Current allocation falls short of expenditure target of 5% of GDP on health by 2025.
- Low private sector participation in Ayushman Bharat scheme due to low reimbursement rates.
- Infrastructure gaps in healthcare, especially in tier 2 and 3 cities.
The way ahead:
- National priority status for healthcare in priority sector lending.
- Strengthen primary healthcare through Health and Wellness Centers and OPD care.
- Prevent Non-Communicable Diseases through primary healthcare interventions.
- Healthcare is India’s fourth largest employer, offering potential for 4 crore jobs.
- Political will to invest in healthcare will yield long-term dividends.
