Private sector in healthcare in India: characteristics and utilization patterns Imam Ashraf, Ex-Branch Manager, Ph.D Scholar Reliance Life Insurance, Sikandrarao, Aligarh Region, UP, India Department of Commerce, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India Online published on 19 October, 2011. Abstract The divergence among the affordable and non-affordable population (socio-economic inequality) and the quality of care are the issues which have surfaced up. These challenges need to be carefully observed and analyzed. The healthcare system in India dates back to 5000 BC. In October 1943, Health Survey and Development Committee (Bhore Committee and later Jungalwala Committee) were appointed and policy makers adopted the recommendations of this committee in 1946. The provision of health services was delegated to the public sector. The Constitution of India allocates various services to the State or Central Governments based on 3 lists viz. a) Central List - It includes research, establishment of tertiary level institutes etc and these activities fall under Central Government jurisdiction. b) State List includes provision and regulation of basic preventive, promotion and curative services, establishment of public health and sanitation services, hospitals and dispensaries etc. These activities fall under State Government jurisdiction c) Concurrent List – It includes programs like population control, family planning, medical education, registration of births and deaths etc. The Central Government provides guidelines (policy formation) and the respective State government implement them. On the whole, provision of majority of health services is States’ responsibility. The paper attempts to present an overview of the existing private healthcare structure, its character, utilization pattern, the challenges and recommendations for effective utilization. Top Keywords Socio-economic inequality, Healthcare System, Bhore Committee, Government. Top |