The Indian health system is like a huge, detailed photograph. There is a unique combination of state-run hospitals and private hospitals, old traditional medicines and new modern treatments. There are also major differences. While cities have easy access to care, rural areas do not have enough facilities. India has over 1.4 billion people. Therefore, providing all the excellent, affordable and fair healthcare is a large but important task. The health sector is currently undergoing major changes. This happens because people get to know more about health, make more money, improve their technology, and governments are making strong efforts.
Indian healthcare works in two main ways. Government-funded public health supplies aim to provide all basic health services to everyone. The system has three levels: a small local centre, a major health centre, a community health centre, a large hospital and a specialized location in the district. Public health is extremely important to many people. However, in many cases there are issues such as insufficient buildings, shortages of medical staff (particularly villages), and limited money. This leads to overcrowded hospitals and long waiting times. Private hospitals have modern buildings, modern medical technology and many special treatments that attract many investments. However, the private sector often has no rules for price or quality. This means that the patient himself will pay a lot. Many Indians choose private hospitals, even if they are expensive. Because we believe that the quality is better and that we can supply faster. This reliance on private care is the main reason why family health costs become a huge financial burden, and they often cause poverty. The biggest is unequal access. There is a big difference between cities and villages in how many doctors, nurses and hospitals are available.
A lack of suitable buildings is also a constant issue, as hospitals in many states often lack sufficient beds, equipment, or basic facilities. Additionally, there is a huge shortage of trained medical staff, including doctors, professionals, and nurses, especially in underserved areas. India also has non-communicable disease (NCD) issues such as diabetes, hypertension, heart problems, and persistent infections. This means that the system must focus on both prevention and treatment of the disease. The Ayushman Bharat programme, which includes Pradhan Mantriyan Arogyayojana (PMJAY), aims to secure health insurance for millions of poor families for hospital stays. Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) builds a digital health system to promote healthcare and manage and improve data.
The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-Abhim) focuses on strengthening the health system at all levels. This means continually investing in state health facilities, closing the gap between urban and village health, having more health workers, focusing on disease prevention, and making health insurance more affordable. The use of technologies such as online doctor visits (telemedicine) and AI-driven diagnostics can also facilitate and make healthcare more efficient. By promoting partnerships between the government and the private sector and promoting clear rules, India can approach its goal of providing high quality, affordable and accessible healthcare for all citizens.
