The provision of adequate, effective, and quality healthcare is one of the cardinal pillars of government. This is based on the understanding that there cannot be development without a healthy human resource. Only surpassing China recently to become the world’s largest population, the burden of healthcare in India is huge and somewhat overwhelming. Across its Union states and territories, the demand for quality healthcare grows by the day, and access must be granted to residents in every part of the country; both in urban centres and hard-to-reach rural settlements.

While India has some of the best well-trained doctors within and outside the country, it is also one of the few countries in the world to surpass the WHO doctor-population standard of 1:1,000 with a ratio of 1:854. But beyond manpower, the question of infrastructure continues to occupy the front burner in healthcare delivery conversations. Hence, it is no surprise that the government has embarked on a transformative campaign in India’s health sector through a number of reforms.

Unprecedented healthcare infrastructure expansion for better care

In recent years, there has been increased attention towards improving the healthcare infrastructure in India. Beyond establishing new healthcare centres and uplifting existing health facilities, infrastructure for training and human capital development has also received massive upgrades. So far, the government has established 262 medical colleges since inauguration. Creating 262 new medical colleges within a period of 9 years is no mere feat. This was contained in a recent statement by Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan.

This has taken the number from 380 in 2014 to 642 today, providing opportunities for more people aspiring to become medical professionals. In the same vein, the government only three months ago approved the establishment of 157 new nursing colleges in the next two years, in a bid to train more nurses in the country. According to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, the move will result in an additional 15,700 nursing graduates every year, to boost the availability of medical professionals in the country.

There have also been improved efforts to ensure medical equipment and materials are provided, especially after the lessons learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic. These include the provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), medical devices for diagnosis and treatment, as well as the provision of oxygen across health facilities. As of January 2022, the Indian government had funded 1,222 Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) plants to produce an estimated 1,750 metric tons of captive oxygen every day. The plants were funded directly through the PM Cares Fund.

Other measures such as renovation and construction of hospitals and health facilities, as well as the addition of beds to existing hospitals have also been taken. One such example is the plan to add 12,000 beds to Delhi’s health infrastructure.

Supporting efficient pharma industry and access to quality healthcare

Healthcare delivery also includes the pharmaceutical industry, and there are several initiatives taken in recent times that show the commitment of India’s government to building a resilient pharma industry. From the PLI Schemes to support infrastructure, operations, and research, to the establishment of drug parks, and supporting collaborations towards the production of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) Key Starting Materials (KSMs), and other components.

The goal is to create a conducive environment for medical practitioners, health workers, and pharma manufacturers to thrive and provide the best access and service possible to patients and everyone else needing healthcare.

Views expressed by Sanjeev Jain, Jt. Managing Director, Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals

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