India improved its primary healthcare landscape

1. How has India improved its primary healthcare landscape? Today, every forward country has realised that if they can strengthen their healthcare management, they can improve their country’s economy. Both factors have a direct correlation with each other. If the country’s citizens are healthy, they can live longer and work towards the country’s economic progress, and as the country’s economy improves, it can better its healthcare. However, offering effective healthcare activities can be a challenging task for developing countries like India, adding to the fact that it’s the world’s second-most populous country. Presently, primary health care in India is a very talked-about topic in context with the country’s significant economic growth from its independence. This article will offer you insights into what efforts are India giving to improve its primary health care system. What abilities can primary healthcare avail? Primary healthcare is considered the first level of contact between individuals and the healthcare system. This is an essential prospect of a healthcare system that promotes prevention by offering vaccinations, health education, routine check-ups and lifestyle counselling. Primary healthcare not only covers solutions for common diseases but also avoids developing chronic diseases. Moreover, primary healthcare providers play a crucial role in identifying and treating health problems at early stages. The country should ensure the primary healthcare system is designed to be accessible and affordable to all individuals. According to healthcare information from WHO, India spends about 3.5% of its GDP on healthcare. Let’s get to know key measures taken by India to improve its primary health care. ● Improving health infrastructure The Indian Government is actively participating in improving the health infrastructures, including expanding primary healthcare facilities establishments and providing basic resources like water and sanitation, electricity and medical equipment. Using the healthcare information technology system, the health ministry is putting emphasis on training and deploying primary healthcare professionals in remote areas and rural areas where the reach of a mainstream medical facility is difficult and provides essential health services.

2. ● Broadening access to medicines There are many policies that have been implemented throughout the country to make essential medicines more affordable and accessible to everyone, especially to treat common diseases. Primary health care in India is the backbone of health systems. So the country is setting up public health centres and collaborating with state governments to avail rural and urban healthcare facilities. ● Enhancing health literacy rate The Government aims to improve primary health care in India by engaging with local communities to boost the health literacy rate among its citizens. Community health workers serve as the key strategy to spread health awareness and provide health education to the locals. They are also responsible for offering screening services and working alongside qualified primary healthcare professionals. The Government is collaborating with private sectors and international humanitarian programs to improve the quality of primary health care services quality and accessibility. ● Taking various digital health initiatives With the implementation of the digital healthcare system, many initiatives have been launched that are playing a vital role in improving the shape of primary healthcare in India. This involves access to remote healthcare services and monitoring, telemedicine, keeping electronic health records, etc., through mobile health applications. Some of the major initiatives taken are National Health Stack, eSanjeevani, National Digital Health Mission, mDiabetes, National Health Information Network, etc. ● National health programs The Indian Government is implementing smart strategies by launching national health programs to address specific health issues. According to India’s healthcare information study, many national health programs exist for maternal and child health, immunisation, and communicable and non-communicable diseases. Some major wellness programs are Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram, Rashtriya Bal SwasthyaKaryakram, Universal Immunisation Programme, Integrated Disease

3. Surveillance Programme, National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control, National Programme for Control Treatment of Occupational Diseases, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, etc. ● Healthcare financing India is taking major steps in boosting the health financing facilities specifically to strengthen primary health care services. Studies on India’s healthcare information have shown that the majority of healthcare expenses are paid out of pocket, while a very small proportion of the population is covered by health insurance. The Government is expanding health insurance coverage, launching innovative financing models and enhancing public expenditure on health. 2018 launched Ayushman Bharat, a health insurance scheme that aims to offer financial protection to many families on the health vulnerability radar. Learning from past experiences and recent pandemic scenarios, India has given great effort in strengthening its healthcare sector. The Government is focusing on monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of primary healthcare interventions. India now has robust healthcare information technology to handle its high population, identify gaps in primary healthcare connections, and take effective measures to improve their services. The developing country is making progress and still has a long way to go to ensure citizens have equal and affordable primary healthcare services. India is working towards taking that multi-faceted approach to address its large population’s diverse needs.