Healthcare System in India: A Critical Evaluation Singh C.P.1,* 1Professor and Chairman, Department of Social Work, Faculty of Social Sciences, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, 136119, Haryana, India *Email: cpsinghkuk@yahoo.co.in
This paper is presented in the National Seminar on Emerging Issues in Indian Administration, 3–4 March 2012 organised by Department of Public Administration, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra under SAP-UGC. Abstract The challenge that exists today in many countries is to reach the whole population with adequate healthcare services and to ensure their utilisation. The present healthcare system in India has its origin in the recommendations of the Committee appointed in 1943 under the chairmanship of Sir Joseph Bhore. Many steps were taken to develop a goal-oriented and effective healthcare system with its roots in the Community Development Programme launched in October 1952 by setting up Primary Health Centres (PHCs) as an integral component of all-round development, especially in rural areas. Another step in the development of health services was with signing the Alma Ata Declaration. The National Health Policy of 1983 proposed reorganisation of PHCs. As a result of these efforts, considerable progress has been achieved in bettering the health status of the people. Despite this progress, the country's overall picture of health status is very gloomy. Waterborne diseases are still the dominant disease among infants; the incidences of cancer, malaria, HIV/AIDS and diarrhoeal diseases continue to increase the mortality rate; and the access of healthcare services to the poor and needy is not satisfactory. This raises serious questions on the healthcare system, its effectiveness and access to the people at large. This study attempts to analyse the working of healthcare system and traces the factors responsible for the gap in proper delivery of healthcare services to the people and the steps needed to improve the healthcare system keeping in view the changed circumstances and the present needs. Top Keywords Healthcare, India, Evaluation. Top |