Facts:
- India spends ~1% on healthcare (Too less. 4% desired)
- 86% of expenditure is out of pocket
Should it be made compulsory for private hospitals to dedicate a part of their services to poor people?
Yes, because:
- Premium Lands are allotted to them at low prices.
- Doctors themselves are beneficiary of subsidised education
- Draft National health policy, 2015 recommends giving right to health a status of fundamental right.
Will it solve the problem?
No. Longer term solutions are:
- Wider insurance reach and coverage using Jan Suraksha Yojana
- More expenditure in public health infrastructure
- Private sector is concentrated mainly in urban areas, and 61% of the population resides in rural areas. So, need to incentivise private sector to cover uncovered areas