Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is designed to guarantee that everyone can access necessary healthcare services without financial strain. Achieving this goal means having a strong infrastructure and modern technology to provide patient-centered care.
Every year on December 12, the global community comes together to mark Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day. Despite considerable progress within India’s healthcare systems, an alarming 36.1% of households in the poorest wealth segment remain uninsured as per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). This reveals significant inequalities in accessing vital healthcare, according to Dr. Vivek Desai, founder and managing director of HOSMAC.
Satish Kannan, the co-founder and CEO of MediBuddy, mentions that realizing universal healthcare access involves a dual strategy of solid infrastructure intertwined with technology. Infrastructure-only solutions fall short; technology functions as a vital link enabling scalable, efficient, and patient-focused healthcare delivery. Digital advancements, mobile technology, and artificial intelligence are pivotal in constructing an accessible healthcare system. With appropriate technology use, patients, medical professionals, hospitals, insurers, and the government collaborate towards a fair healthcare setup.
Establishing an effective healthcare network in India underscores the need for a comprehensive, inclusive, and enduring approach. Initiatives like Ayushman Bharat-National Health Mission (NHM), Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), and Mission Indradhanush have notably enhanced healthcare availability, as noted by Dr. Desai.
Facing a population of 1.4 billion, India is tasked with not only closing healthcare access gaps but also backing an equitable and lasting system. In this context, Universal Health Coverage assures everyone receives the necessary health services, from preventive to palliative, without financial hardship. It stands not just as an aspiration, but as a tool to propel economic growth, social equity, and public welfare, explained Dr. Desai.
Conversely, out-of-pocket healthcare costs in India rank among the world’s highest, with 52% of expenses borne by individuals, while only 35.3% is covered by state and union governments. This dependency on personal spending heavily strains families, often driving them into financial distress, added Dr. Desai.
India’s vision for a developed society by 2047—Viksit Bharat 2047—advocates for inclusive growth. MediBuddy aims to play a part by using technology to break geographic healthcare access barriers by facilitating remote consultations, diagnostics, preventive care, and wellness services, notably in underserved areas. The company also emphasizes mental healthcare, acknowledging the importance of emotional and psychological health as often overlooked components in UHC, remarked Kannan.
Reaching UHC calls for a collective effort. Together, we can bolster primary healthcare structures, cut down on direct expenses, and devise innovative solutions empowering individuals to manage their health, Kannan stated.
To achieve UHC, India must pursue a forward-thinking, multi-faceted strategy prioritizing preventive healthcare, with public and private sectors cooperating closely. This could include letting hospitals select participation based on their capability and incorporating a flexible payment model similar to the US’s resource-based relative value system (RBRVS). Moreover, piloting the extension of AB-PMJAY to support domiciliary care pre- and post-hospitalization would be a significant leap towards UHC, commented Dr. Desai.