He recommended that neighbouring states also should revamp their health systems to ease the pressure on the Delhi government
Satyendra Jain, Minister of Health, Government of NCT of Delhi has assured that Delhi would have adequate health infrastructure catering to the needs of the people in the near future. The proposed schemes for strengthening the network would be implemented in a time-bound manner to make the city more livable.
While addressing at the 12th CII India Health Summit in the capital, Jain said that most of the health problems being faced by the city was on account of the migrant population, flocking to the city every day. The neighbouring states also should revamp their health systems to ease the pressure on the Delhi government. He said that efforts are being taken to strengthen the primary and secondary healthcare systems in Delhi so that the common man can avail the health facilities at the doorstep. In this regard, he mentioned that the Delhi Government would soon set up a large number of primary health centres and specialty hospitals across the city to meet the emerging health requirements of the people. About the tertiary sector, he wanted the private sector to participate in a meaningful manner so that the common man can avail services at affordable cost.
Jain observed that fund was not a constraint in building the health infrastructure in the state. “What we lack is proper direction as to how to make use of this fund in the most economical manner to help the largest population in need of healthcare,” adding that the primary healthcare centres and other hospitals being set up by the Government entails a minimum cost in comparison to other states.
Participating at the discussion, Sambit Patra, spokesperson, BJP, said that corruption was a major factor that hiked up the cost of setting up health infrastructure under the government sector. Efforts should be made to address this issue on an urgent basis since the limited resources cannot be frittered away through pilferages.
Responding to a query as to what was the status of the universal healthcare in India now, Patra said that it is a lofty goal to be chased; no matter how the end result gets delayed. In this regard, he said that India has to step up number of doctors, nurses and beds available per thousand population to achieve the objective of universal health. Also, innovative insurance schemes should be evolved to lighten the financial burden on patients. He also mentioned about some of the well run health schemes in the country, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where the cost of treatment of the poor at primary and secondary levels are met by the government through schemes like ‘spoke and hub’ method.
Dr Naresh Trehan said that secondary and tertiary sectors hold promise for implementing under the PPP model. At the same time, some of the 10,000 private hospitals across the country could help the state governments in strengthening the delivery services of the primary health centers by making available critical services of anesthetists, pathologists for electronic diagnosis of TB etc. He also referred to certain models in tertiary sector followed by countries like Thailand, where the Government takes care of the entire expenses of the poor people availing tertiary services. In this regard, he wanted introduction of insurance scheme to be taken by every family in India to meet costly medical eventualities.
Dr Kiran Walia, former Health Minister, Delhi Government, urged for a more active involvement of all stakeholders for ensuring universal health. “We have to get into a mode where our actions are more focused and result oriented,” she added.
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