People from all over the world have always been drawn to India as a cultural hotspot. The country has consistently strived to improve in many sectors, including infrastructure, roads, schools, and financial stability. However, India is still lagging in terms of developing a stronger infrastructure for hospitals and healthcare system, even though the country is deemed to have vast healthcare services. With nearly 15000 deaths during the pandemic, Indians can ill afford better treatment in their own nation.
Does the healthcare system cost more in India?
Lacking medical resources
According to study officials, India’s huge healthcare system lacks sufficient equipment and resources in the medical profession, and facilities that do have these necessities are out of reach for the general public. Unlike in the United States, where you can receive medical insurance to pay the expenditures, insurance here is more expensive than typical.
The Indian healthcare system has been facing several challenges over the years, including a lack of medical resources and professionals. Inadequate funding, lack of modern equipment, and limited medical supplies have made it difficult for healthcare providers to deliver quality care to patients. Additionally, India has a low doctor to patient ratio, with one doctor for every 1,457 people, which is far below the recommended ratio by the World Health Organization. This shortage of medical professionals has resulted in overcrowded hospitals and clinics, longer waiting times for patients, and compromised healthcare quality. The lack of medical resources and professionals has also contributed to the high cost of medical care in India, making it unaffordable for many people. The Indian government has been taking steps to address these challenges, including investing in medical education and infrastructure. However, more needs to be done to improve the healthcare system and provide access to quality care for all people in India.
Profit centers
Furthermore, many hospitals and healthcare providers see hospitals as profit centres where patients must pay more for a single consultant. India has been dubbed the “world’s pharmacy,” yet it is still prohibitively expensive. Over 63% of Indians pay out of their own pockets, which is higher than in some of the poorest countries.
Drugs are expensive
Indians spend the most on medicines, followed by hospitalisation. Not to mention, certain drugs are brand patented, which means they are not branded or authorised by any professional. Essentially, ordinary people jeopardise their health by using unbranded medications. Many people have to spend a considerable portion of their income on medication, even for basic health issues. What’s more, even generic medicines, which are supposed to be affordable alternatives to branded drugs, are often expensive and of poor quality. The lack of a robust regulatory system means that low-quality and counterfeit medicines are widely available, and patients are often forced to pay high prices for substandard drugs. This problem disproportionately affects the poor and vulnerable sections of society, who are unable to afford expensive treatments and have limited access to quality healthcare. Therefore, it is crucial to address this issue and ensure that patients in India have access to affordable, high-quality medicines.
Preferring public sector hospitals
Public sector hospitals in India, despite being known for their affordable healthcare services, are often overcrowded and underfunded. The conditions in these hospitals are often unhygienic and the quality of care provided can vary greatly. Additionally, these hospitals are often plagued by a shortage of doctors and medical staff, leading to long waiting times for patients. Despite these challenges, many Indian patients still prefer public hospitals over private ones due to the lower cost of treatment. However, it is important for the government and healthcare industry to work towards improving the quality and availability of healthcare services in both public and private sectors to ensure that all patients have access to high-quality care.
Considering all of the aforementioned concerns regarding India’s healthcare system, we can conclude that the country is still far from having a proper and trustworthy healthcare system.
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