Health Care System in India

By : Neha Dhyani

Updated : May 27, 2022, 7:57

With a population of 1.26 billion, India is the second-most populous country in the world. India's major issues are often related to poverty and education. Thus, child malnutrition and maternal mortality problems are huge health concerns for this region.

Besides these problems, two other major health issues are the growth of non-communicable diseases and environmental factors that can influence the health of a population. The challenge is to combat these two issues and keep India's population healthy.

What is a Health Care System in India?

A Health Care System in India is an organized system that provides, monitors, and improves health services. The main purpose is to ensure universal access to people who need treatments.

A healthcare system also aims to improve the quality of healthcare services and ensure efficient, cost-effective delivery, both within the public and private sectors. The goal is to provide a high standard of medical treatment.

Significance of Health Care System in India

There is hardly any doubt that India has emerged as one of the world's most vibrant economies today. This economic growth has improved countries like India, especially its healthcare sectors. India is one of the countries where people are adopting health care systems across all their demographics.

The Health Care System in India has undergone a sea of changes in recent years. There has been a massive change in how healthcare is perceived in India. The nation has recognized that a healthy citizenry is important for the development of any country. Poor public health leads to higher incidences of death and disease, which leads to an increased demand for medical services.

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Features of Health Care System in India

Diverse groups with varying needs and understanding of health care services participate in the entities that constitute the Health Care System in India.

Health care systems in India recognize the fact that individual rights and freedoms are important, even when it comes to healthcare delivery and consumption choices by citizens. Therefore, emphasis is laid on ensuring equality and equity among people of all demographics and income groups when it comes to health care services available for consumption.

There is a definite need to enhance coordination among various professional groups providing health care services. The health care system is one of the main channels for interactions between provider and consumer. Together with new health care practices, these interactions significantly impact population health.

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The concepts of good governance and transparency are ingrained into the management of health care delivery systems in India. All agencies involved with the delivery and consumption of health care services are accountable to their stakeholders.

Medical tourism is another growing trend that has seen patients travelling abroad to get medical treatment. People are availing themselves of this type of health care service to save money or because they do not have access to adequate medical facilities in their own countries.

India has undergone a sea change in how health care is viewed and promoted. Many factors determine the effectiveness of their health care system. To provide better services to its citizens, India has made massive changes in its health care systems. These changes may have been costly in the past, but they have ensured that there will be reduced spending and a better future for the country.

Health Care System in India is an improvement of the Healthcare Sector, which has been significantly developed over the last decade with a major focus on Key Population Groups like rural populations, urban populations, slum dwellers, etc.

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FAQs on Health Care System in India

Q1. Which social determinants of health are most important for the public Health Care System in India?

The most important social determinants of health for the public Health Care System in India are Urbanization and Hierarchy (or disparities in access to health care). Urbanization is an important factor in the development of urban slums, which is a major cause of poor health. The hierarchy (or disparities in access to health care) makes it difficult for people to access quality healthcare services. Birth order and nutrition at the birth influence the future status of childhood mortality, fertility, morbidity, and economic productivity. In addition, there are many other social determinants such as gender inequality and social integration that affect overall population well-being.

Q2. What is the role of private health care providers in the Health Care System in India?

The role of private health care providers in the Health Care System in India is much higher than in most other countries. Private healthcare providers provide medical and paramedical services to the vast majority of people in India. They also have a major role in delivering health care services for the poor, particularly for women and children.

Q3. What are the main challenges faced by the public Health Care System in India?

The main challenges faced by the Indian public Health Care System in India are inadequate levels of funding at all levels and inadequate levels of coordination between the different actors within and outside government agencies (especially those at the central and state levels). There are also issues related to financial transparency and accountability at various government levels.

Q4. What are the main factors that affect the health of a population?

The main factors that affect the health of a population include income, education, nutrition, and access to basic services (e.g., water and sanitation). Health policies also have significant effects on population health; for example, investing in basic education such as primary schools can result in an improved child mortality rate.