HEALTHCARE IN INDIA
NATIONAL HEALTH POLICY 2017
- The National Health Policy 2017 was introduced after 15 years to address emerging healthcare challenges in India.
- It was approved by the Cabinet on 15th March 2017.
- This policy provides a framework for improving healthcare in the country with a focus on preventive care, accessibility, quality of care, and affordability.
KEY OBJECTIVES
- Increase Public Health Expenditure: Raise government health expenditure progressively to 5% of GDP by 2025.
- Comprehensive Primary Healthcare: Expand the reach of primary healthcare through Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) to ensure universal access to quality health services.
- Financial Protection: Ensure healthcare access without financial hardship.
- Focus on Primary Healthcare: Allocate two-thirds of resources to primary care, which includes preventive and promotive
- Partnership with Private Sector: Leverage private sector expertise to fill healthcare gaps and improve service delivery.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE POLICY
- Assurance-Based Approach: The policy focuses on providing progressive assurance for healthcare with an emphasis on preventive care.
- Health Card System: A health card links patients to a defined package of services at primary care facilities across the country.
- Patient-Centric Approach: Introduces medical tribunals for addressing grievances related to healthcare standards, prices, negligence, etc.
- Micronutrient Deficiency: Focus on reducing micronutrient malnutrition, particularly in underprivileged regions.
- Quality of Care: Public health institutions undergo periodic assessments for quality standards.
- Make-in-India for Healthcare Products: Incentivize the production of indigenous healthcare products to meet domestic needs.
- Digital Health: Push for the adoption of digital tools for improving healthcare outcomes, with an integrated health information system for better transparency and efficiency.
- Private Sector Engagement: Strengthen private sector involvement for critical gap filling and achievement of national health goals.
Financial Support:
- The government allocated Rs. 47,352.51 crores under the Union Budget 2017-18, marking a 27.7% increase in the previous year’s budget allocation for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
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