Healthcare Issues Bugging India

by Bappaditta Jana share market adviser

Post-independence, the healthcare infrastructure in India has seen a significant development. However, issues such as unhygienic drinking water, poor living condition, lack of proper sanitation and exposure to various environmental odds often increase the chances of various health problems. Even though health care comes under state jurisdiction, the central government has a considerable share in establishing the infrastructure. A study by Centre for disease dynamics economics and policy showed that India has a deficit of an estimated 600000 doctors and about 2 million nurses!

Even with the noteworthy economic development after independence, there has been little investment done in the health infrastructure given the rise in population and its surge of various diseases. According to a study by Deloitte, the healthcare industry will cross 280 billion USD by 2020.

The major constraints

Did you know that most of the Indians spend about 60% of their personal savings on medical expenses? This is because India spends only 2-4 percent of its GDP on the healthcare. Adding to this are the striking inequalities in the healthcare opportunities in urban and rural segment. Even though there are Public Health Care Centres, it's very difficult to find any well trained or qualified doctor who would we willing to work in a rural or remote area for long time. The numbers are disappointing when you look at the ratio of patients is to doctors. There is one state funded hospital for every 90000 people in India!

With the healthcare getting more expensive by every passing day, it is practically unaffordable by most of the population. The treatment and hospitalization expenses have reached sky high and the only respite is through medical insurance. But that said, the per capita expenditure on insurance is one of the lowest among the Indians - which is about 30% as compared to the 80% in the other developed countries. Making out of the pocket medical expenses become almost a lifelong burden for most families.

Last but not the least, there is very less emphasis on the paucity of preventive care. The lifestyle choices of people do not allow most of the population to go for a regular health check up. Added to it are the various stress and strain that gives way to diseases like hypertension and diabetes.

A new hope

There is a silver lining though that millennials are now looking for home monitoring systems. To bring affordable healthcare to people, Mediniz has come up with an online healthcare platform which works to connect the right doctors to the people. The idea is to provide seamless healthcare facilities with easy and affordable system. Punctual diagnosis of any form of illness can help to prevent lifelong diseases. There are lapses in the system of medical industry in the country which affects hundreds and thousands of people every year. However to get this infrastructure better, Mediniz along with the other companies like 1MG, Netmeds, Healthkart, Portea, Practo are offering online doctor appointments and consultation services.

Companies you can trust

Practo offers services such as assessing health issues, finding the right doctor, booking diagnostic tests, and online medicines. Not just the patients but healthcare providers have also been able to use Practo to grow their connection and scope of work.

Working for fitness and well-being, Healthkart is a young start-up that brings in genuine protein supplements to vitamins at the best possible rate. You can find products of more than 200 brands under one roof.

Delivering quality care with compassion, Portea brings in hospital-quality healthcare in the comfort of your home. You can find doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists who come for home visit as per your convenience.