ABSTRACT
India’s health outcomes remain unsatisfactory, with wide divergence across states. While preventive, promotive services, and primary healthcare have been neglected, curative services and hospital infrastructure have huge gaps. Private healthcare facilities have mushroomed, with little regulation and accountability. A well-planned public health system is required backed by a comprehensive public health Act designed to effectively manage epidemics and diseases. Primary health facilities should be fully staffed and work round the clock, with an adequate supply of diagnostic equipment and medicines, and upgraded and well-maintained infrastructure. The role of ANMs should be redefined as community female health workers. The full potential of ASHA workers can be realized by providing them with intensive training, making them full-time village-level health workers, and giving them vastly enhanced remuneration. A well-designed referral and hospital management system must be put in place with a focus on service quality. Women and child health should receive overriding priority. Equally, disease prevention, early detection, and management need special attention. Ayushman Bharat needs to be reformed and should be supported by a well-functioning regulatory framework and a competitive health insurance system. The suggested reforms must be backed by vastly enhanced budgets.
