Bridging Rural-Urban Healthcare Disparities

Despite India’s emergence as a favoured destination for medical tourism, its primary health sector remains neglected. In India today, the presence of super specialty hospitals in big cities stands in contrast to non-functioning primary health centers in rural areas of the country. More concerning is the fact that among 29 states of the country, only five states spend 8% of the states’ budget on health infrastructure with bigger states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal among the worst performers.

Health in India is a state subject and barring Delhi, Kerala, Puducherry, Goa and Meghalaya, no other states or Union territories have performed well in the health sector. It is time now to ensure erring states make adequate arrangements for people to be treated locally. The inadequacies of our health sector were on full display during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the pandemic initially broke out, there was not nearly enough beds or emergency facilities in hospitals. This caused the death of many infected persons as proper medical treatment was not provided. Although we have been able to relatively tame this deadly virus with the help of a well-managed vaccination program and upgradation of medical facilities, there is no denying that the pandemic has completely exposed the shortcomings of the health sector.

It is essential that we learn our lesson from the pandemic in-order to avoid a similar situation in the future. On its part, the Centre has increased the health budget considerably. This was done to facilitate the creation and improvement of health infrastructure like building hospitals, purchasing modern equipment, etc. The Centre’s effort to prepare the country to meet any eventuality can only bear fruits if states reciprocate appropriately. With help coming from the Centre to build infrastructure, the states should ensure availability of doctors, medicines, qualified medical staff, etc. to offer the best treatment to the people locally. If the states fail to bear the responsibility, there will be no improvement in our health sector.

Patients coming from outside the country to get modern and affordable treatment in India is a recognition of the country’s medical fraternity, who have time and again proved that they are second to none. But all their efforts will go in vain, if we can’t keep our own people healthy. There is no dearth of experienced medical practitioners in the country however the frailties of the health infrastructure are very visible in rural areas. Most primary health centers in rural parts of the country are devoid of basic facilities like minor operation theatres. People have to travel to cities to treat even small ailments. This is indicative of the fact that our health sector needs a complete overhaul in rural areas. An audit on health services can be conducted to identify and resolve shortcomings, so as to ensure that the country’s health sector will not be found ill-prepared in case of any future health crises.