Once-in-a-century events, such as the Covid-19 pandemic, have accelerated a multitude of challenges in the healthcare industry. Factors such as affordability, clinical staff shortages, and unpredictable outcomes are pushing the industry to rework business models and reallocate constrained resources. According to recent statistics, healthcare costs in India are increasing annually by 14%.

As a result, paying for medical bills and inpatient care has become increasingly daunting. Nearly 23% of hospital costs in India are paid by borrowing, and 62% are paid out of pocket. This adds a financial strain on patients’ families, preventing them from accessing quality care. To achieve universal healthcare access without compromising quality, it is imperative to address these issues through systematic reforms, innovative approaches, and a deep commitment from all stakeholders.

Roadmap to Achieving Affordability and Universal Access

Several factors contribute to the high inflation in healthcare costs. The modernization of medicine and healthcare service delivery, proactive diagnostic approaches, minimally invasive surgical techniques, and treatments for lifestyle diseases often come with a high price tag. This is largely due to the high maintenance costs of specialized equipment, high-grade medications, and intensive care facilities.

Therefore, there is a pressing need to ensure that universal healthcare access is accompanied by affordability and high-quality medical services, so that patients are not denied treatment due to financial constraints.

Adopting Preventive Care

Ensuring healthcare for all requires a strong foundation in comprehensive primary care. This approach focuses on identifying health risks and reducing the outbreak of chronic diseases, such as heart attacks, cardiac arrests, and organ failure, ultimately reducing administrative costs. Affordability in healthcare is a critical component of this, as it plays a significant role not only in patients’ lives but also for clinicians, medical practitioners, key decision-makers, and government agencies in reducing healthcare burdens while ensuring universal access for all.

Technology Integration for Remote Care and Telemedicine

Technology knows no bounds, especially when it comes to breaking geographical barriers. In healthcare, the use of telemedicine platforms enables access to and management of healthcare services in rural and remote areas. It allows patients to connect with healthcare experts virtually via video consultations, significantly reducing the costs and risks associated with long hours of travel and accommodation.

Expansion of Homecare Services

As rising healthcare costs hinder patients from accessing quality care and post-surgery services, home healthcare is emerging as an effective approach to reducing hospital stays. When patients receive similar hospital care at home, it significantly increases access to quality services while reducing associated costs. Services such as at-home nursing care, physiotherapy, and post-operative care allow patients to receive medical services in the comfort of their homes. For instance, patients can recover faster from surgical procedures, and the elderly can reduce extended hospital stays without regular check-ups at home, thus preventing non-emergency admissions.

Affordable and Subsidized Insurance

In a diverse and populous country like India, healthcare must be accessible to all income groups. This can be achieved through a specialized focus on ensuring affordable and subsidized insurance coverage, making services accessible to all. Government-backed insurance schemes like Ayushman Bharat are contributing to universal coverage. Strengthening these initiatives with wider coverage, transparent pricing, and simplified claims processes can provide easy and subsidized care for underserved patients.

Optimizing Resource Utilization

The strategic distribution of limited resources plays a significant role in maximizing outcomes for patients across different geographies and income groups. Additionally, this helps healthcare facilities reduce operational costs through better resource management. This includes efficiency in medical supplies, waste reduction, and the adoption of energy-efficient infrastructure. Hospitals and key stakeholders can also make effective use of electronic health records to streamline administrative processes, ultimately lowering the overall cost of care.

Also Read: Unveiling Public Health Challenges of Diabetes & NCDs in India: Insights from Thyrocare and Fedo Studies

Way Forward

Achieving universal access to healthcare is multifaceted. It requires bolstering preventive care and leveraging technology to increase the accessibility of healthcare services. By implementing innovative solutions, the industry can overcome the burden of high costs, ensuring preventive care and expanding remote care, thus creating an ecosystem of both quality and equality.

Views expressed by: Dr. Sai Praveen Haranath, Senior Consultant Physician, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Apollo Hospitals

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