Affordable Healthcare Is A Challenge To India

J P Nadda, Union Health Minister has said that the government is taking efforts to make cheaper drugs available to the public is the focus in place. He acknowledged the fact that affordable quality healthcare has become a challenge to the poorer sections of the society. “A list of essential medicines is being made and the government is working towards providing such medicines at a cheaper rate," Nadda told reporters after delivering his address at the 'Global Health Summit: Access and Affordable Healthcare for People of India', organised by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (AAPI).

Nadda says that the draft of the National Health Policy is available on the website and appeals to the people to step forward and provide their comments, suggestions. He also said that the policy concentrates on the rural areas of India and that the country needs promotion of preventive healthcare. Shifting the focus from sick-care to hospitalisation care is much necessary.

"We are trying to make states more aware of healthcare facilities. We are very serious about malnutrition in tribal areas. We are talking to states and are trying to understand their problems. But it is up to the states to finally implement Central government's policies," he said.

“It is a known fact that every year, the pharma companies are sponsoring the tours, stays in five star hotels and offering gifts and other incentives benefits to doctors for prescribing the branded drugs. While on one hand the government is urging the doctors to prescribe generic drugs, majority doctors in corporate, private clinics and even in government hospitals are prescribing branded drugs. Because of this, the common man is not able to bear the growing healthcare costs and getting buried debts,” opined a senior retired drug control administration officer.

Source-Medindia