Health care facilities and personnel increased substantially between the early 1950s

and early 1980s, but because of fast population growth, the number of licensed
medical practitioners per 10,000 individuals had fallen by die late 1980s to three per
10,000 from the 1981 level of four per 10,000. In 1991 there were approximately ten
hospital beds per 10,000 individuals.

Primary health centres are the cornerstones of the rural health care system. By
1991, India had about 22,400 primary health centres, 11,200 hospitals, and 27,400
dispensaries. These facilities are part of a tiered health care system that funnels
more difficult cases into urban hospitals while attempting to provide routine medical
care to the vast majority in the countryside. Primary health centres and sub-centres
rely on trained paramedics to meet most of their needs.

After Independence there has been a significant improvement, in

the health status of people.

But the situation is not much better as per study of WHO. It has
placed India in 112th position among 191 countries of the world.

Even Bangladesh is ahead of India.

As claimed by many forums across the country and globe, India is facing a
great challenge in terms of healthcare as compared to other nations. Now
there are two ways to look at it, one it is really a troublesome situation and
we are lagging behind the other nations, the second one is definitely the
most preferred one, look at it as an opportunity.

The top challenges faced by the Indian Healthcare Industry are limited
access to healthcare,

 Neglect of Rural Population

 Emphasis on Culture Method
 Inadequate Outlay for Health
 Social Inequality
 Shortage of Medical Personnel
 Medical Research
 Expensive Health Service
These things are not only discussed in our own country but are also being
discussed at a global forum resulting in greater opportunities to improve
upon.

There are many opportunities that are arising due to this scenario and
technology being the focus for all is driving this as well. Many giants in
healthcare like Siemens, GE etc. are coming up with new age technologies
that can severely reduce the time and cost involved. The symptoms and
diagnostics can be done through a mobile device and can be monitored
remotely. This is also giving an opportunity to the telecom sector, as in
order for the physicians to see the data, good connectivity is the key.

Healthcare cannot be improved only with the help of reach, there are
various other factors too, and cost being the major one. The margins
towards various healthcare devises and services are extremely high and at
times have as high as 400% profit margin. In order to make it affordable
and reachable to all, government has taken a step towards improving this
scenario and regulate the prices.

The use of automation in the healthcare sector is the major driving change.
The previously deployed ICUs had to be monitored by a human
intervention, now with all the advancements the machines deployed are
automated and can easily monitor the complete process and circulate the
information to the people involved.

The present size of the Indian Healthcare Industry is expected to grow

multifolds by 2020, which will open new doors for various sectors
supporting healthcare.

Presently the growth aspect is being taken forward individually by states,

and in order to make it more effective, it needs to be led in a combined
manner. The healthcare industry is bound to undergo changes at every
stage and it is all for the good. It is imperative that all the participants
should come together to drive this change and join hands to bridge any gap
which is existing.

Now the biggest question that arises is what government bodies can do?

The government today has already started working towards making a

better healthcare market, they are making changes to the ways to ensure
the reach is extended to every individual and nobody is left out. Individuals
today prefer going to the private hospitals rather than reaching out to the
government operated ones, the reason behind this is very straight forward-
lack of facilities.

As per various surveys conducted, there is only one bed per six patients in
the government run hospitals, making it extremely difficult for the people.
The private sectors are cashing out on this and charging a heavy amoun,t
which is leading to rural areas relying on home based treatments.

Another dominant set back in this is the lack of insurance facilities. As

compared to other countries, our country is far behind in terms pf providing
medical insurance to its citizens. This is also changing slowly, with many
insurance companies like Oriental Insurance coming up with affordable and
very cheap insurance plans, it is becoming easily accessible to all, even to
the low income group.

Below mentioned are the some of the major roadblocks described in brief:

1. Population

As known by all, India is the second largest populated country in the world
and as its population is rising multi-fold year over year, we need to be
prepared in such a manner that we can cater to the needs of each citizen.

2. Infrastructure

Given to the increasing population, it is very crucial to develop

infrastructure in such a manner that it can easily provide the necessary
support to all. Though there are many facilities provided by the government
run hospitals but as stated these are just not sufficient to cater to the
growing population. The hospitals basically lack basic necessities like staff
and hygiene, making the private sector the focus of it all.

3. Insurance

Among all the other countries across the globe, India is the lowest in terms
of expenditure for healthcare. The contribution done by the government
towards this is extremely low at a mere of approximately 32%. Majority of
the Indian population does not even have health insurance.

The new budget has taken some steps toward improving this situation in
the country and is taking measures towards the developments. This is
mainly targeted towards the rural sector as the need of the hour states so.
There are many new healthcare programmes being launched and many
companies like Oriental Insurance are participating in it by doing their bit.
Over 70% of our population is not aware of healthcare, and the main ones
are the people who are living in the rural areas. The campaigns being
carried out need to be done in these areas to encourage people to step out
and come forward towards a better India. All in all this cannot be achieved
until and unless the citizens come forward and join hands.