All-inclusive healthcare

A comprehensive approach towards Universal Health Coverage is the need of the hour and is also essential for development on every level. ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (IFHE) Deemed University organised the Eighth Foundation Day Lecture on the topic Health and Development: Can India Bridge the Disconnect, at its campus in Hyderabad. Prof K Srinath Reddy, President, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), Delhi was the Chief Guest. The event was presided over by Dr C Rangarajan, Chancellor, IFHE. The event began by paying homage to Late N J Yasaswy, Founder, ICFAI Group.

Delivering the lecture, Prof K Srinath Reddy, called for a comprehensive approach towards Universal Health Coverage. He highlighted the importance of healthcare in the unfolding growth story of India. However, he pointed out that our country lags behind many other developing nations in terms of life expectancy even though considerable progress has been achieved in certain areas of healthcare like polio eradication. He adduced statistical evidence to show that incidences of non-communicable diseases is on the rise in urban areas. He made a point for bringing in reforms in the healthcare sector for protecting the economic benefits of the demographic dividend India is currently enjoying.

According to Prof Reddy, universal health coverage would be achieved when every person has access to it at affordable rates. There is an urgent need to work out a national level policy which is efficient and implementable. He said that impoverishment caused due to poor health has remained unchanged over last 10 years. The percentage of Indian households that fell below the poverty line due to OOP spending on health expenditures has remained unchanged at approximately 7 per cent of the population.

Prof Reddy compared the nation’s healthcare systems with other developing countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Philippines. He pointed out the contradictions between high economic growth rate of India and lack of access to reliable healthcare services. He reiterated that even mental health should be given its due in the healthcare policy. He stressed upon promotion of trained technology-enabled non-physician medical staff in rural areas as a solution for problems of healthcare delivery systems.

Delivering the concluding remarks, Dr C Rangarajan emphasised the importance of growth along with development. He remarked that growth is also necessary in releasing resources for social welfare initiatives by governments.