Que. In a crucial domain like the public healthcare system the Indian State should play a vital role to contain the adverse impact of marketisation of the system. Suggest some measures through which the State can enhance the reach of public healthcare at the grassroots level.

लोक स्वास्थ्य देखभाल प्रणाली जैसे महत्त्वपूर्ण क्षेत्र में भारतीय राज्य को उस व्यवस्था के बाजारीकरण के दुष्प्रभावों को रोकने के लिए व्यापक भूमिका निभानी चाहिए। कुछ ऐसे उपाय सुझाइए जिनके माध्यम से राज्य, लोक स्वास्थ्य देखभाल प्रणाली की पहुंच का विस्तार तृणमूल स्तर तक कर सके।

Structure of the Answer

(i) Introduction: Introduce the role of the “Indian State” in public healthcare, emphasizing the negative consequences of “marketization” and the need for intervention.

(ii) Main Body: Highlight measures through which the State can expand “public healthcare reach” at the grassroots level, ensuring inclusivity and equitable access to healthcare.

(iii) Conclusion: Summarize the importance of government intervention in ensuring “affordable” healthcare at the grassroots level and counteracting the adverse effects of marketization.

Introduction 

The “Indian healthcare system” faces challenges due to increasing “marketization,” which often leads to inequality and accessibility issues. The “Indian State” must intervene proactively to ensure that healthcare services are accessible, affordable, and effective, particularly at the “grassroots level.”

Strengthening Healthcare Infrastructure at the Grassroots

(i) Improving Primary Healthcare Infrastructure: The government must upgrade and expand “Primary Healthcare Centers” (PHCs) in rural and underserved areas, ensuring that they are equipped with “basic medical supplies” and staffed with “trained professionals” to meet the local healthcare needs.

(ii) Decentralization and Local Health Posts: Establishing “health sub-centers” and “village health posts” will decentralize healthcare delivery, making it easier for rural populations to access basic medical services without traveling long distances.

(iii) Strengthening Emergency Healthcare Services: The State must improve emergency “ambulance services” and “trauma care” in rural areas to provide timely medical help in emergencies, reducing mortality and morbidity.

(iv) Telemedicine and Mobile Healthcare Units: Expanding “telemedicine” initiatives can bridge the urban-rural healthcare divide, offering remote consultations, diagnostic services, and specialist access in real-time, especially in remote villages.

(v) Infrastructure for Preventive Healthcare: Governments must build facilities focused on “preventive healthcare,” including vaccination centers, sanitation initiatives, and community wellness programs, to address the root causes of disease.

Increasing Public Healthcare Budget and Funding

(i) Enhanced Budget Allocation for Healthcare: The State should significantly increase its “public healthcare budget,” with a focus on primary healthcare, especially in rural areas, ensuring basic healthcare services reach every citizen.

(ii) State-Sponsored Health Insurance: The government should expand “public health insurance” schemes like Ayushman Bharat, ensuring broader coverage and accessibility, particularly for the economically disadvantaged populations.

(iii) Funding Rural Health Initiatives: A portion of the healthcare budget should be dedicated to rural-specific health interventions, like maternal and child health programs, to ensure inclusivity in healthcare access.

(iv) Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Collaborating with private entities can improve healthcare infrastructure in underserved areas. However, the State must regulate “quality” and “affordability” to prevent exploitation by private players.

(v) Addressing Healthcare Inequities: Financial resources should be allocated in a way that focuses on the most “marginalized” communities, ensuring they have access to quality healthcare services.

Strengthening Healthcare Workforce at the Grassroots

(i) Recruiting Medical Professionals in Rural Areas: Offering financial incentives such as “higher pay,” “housing allowances,” and “career development” opportunities can attract more “doctors” and “nurses” to rural areas where there is a severe shortage.

(ii) Training Community Health Workers: The State should invest in training local healthcare workers like “community health volunteers,” “nurse practitioners,” and “midwives” to provide essential healthcare services at the grassroots level.

(iii) Retaining Healthcare Workers: Implementing policies that encourage long-term service, such as “educational scholarships,” “loan waivers,” and “promotion opportunities,” can help retain healthcare workers in rural areas.

(iv) Building Capacity in Medical Colleges: Increasing the number of medical colleges in rural areas will help address the doctor shortage. Additionally, medical curricula should include community-oriented training programs.

(v) Telehealth and Virtual Training: Offering virtual platforms for training healthcare workers can ensure continuous professional development, especially in remote areas where physical access to training centers is limited.

Promoting Health Education and Awareness at the Grassroots

(i) Public Health Awareness Campaigns: The government must launch “public health campaigns” focused on “preventive health” measures such as hygiene, sanitation, nutrition, and vaccination, targeting rural communities.

(ii) Community-Based Health Education: Incorporating “health education” into community programs through “local media,” “health clubs,” and grassroots organizations can increase awareness about basic healthcare practices and disease prevention.

(iii) School-Based Health Programs: Introducing “health education” in school curriculums can instill healthy habits from an early age, improving long-term health outcomes and reducing future healthcare burdens.

(iv) Promoting Gender-Responsive Healthcare: Creating awareness about “maternal health,” “childbirth” safety, and “gender equality in healthcare” will empower rural women to seek timely medical care.

(v) Health Surveillance and Data Collection: Implementing local “health surveillance” programs will allow for real-time data collection on prevalent diseases, enabling targeted interventions and timely responses to health crises.

Conclusion 

The “Indian State” must intervene actively to strengthen the healthcare system by increasing budget allocation, improving infrastructure, training the workforce, and promoting health education. These efforts will ensure that public healthcare reaches marginalized communities and counteract the harmful effects of marketization.