Approach:

Introduction: Explain the concept of Universal health coverage in the Indian context.

Body: Discuss the potential advantages and challenges related to implementation.

Conclusion: WHO approach and steps taken by Indian Government towards UHC.

Answer:

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) refers to a system where all individuals and communities have access to the quality health services, they need without facing financial hardship. In the context of India, this includes health promotion, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care, without experiencing any financial hardship or risk of impoverishment.

UHC can help to address the current health disparities that exist in India, as it would ensure that everyone, regardless of their social status, has access to essential health services.

Potential advantages of Universal health coverage in India:

• Improved access to health services: UHC would ensure that all Indians have access to necessary healthcare services, including preventive care, treatment, and rehabilitation, regardless of their financial status or geographic location.

• Reduced financial burden: UHC would protect individuals and families from catastrophic healthcare expenses, reducing the financial burden on households and preventing them from falling into poverty due to healthcare costs.

• Better health outcomes: Access to healthcare services will improve health outcomes and reduce mortality rates by diagnosing and treating illnesses and diseases at an earlier stage

• Increased productivity: Improved health outcomes would lead to increased productivity and economic growth as a healthy workforce is more productive.

• Increased government accountability: UHC would increase government accountability in healthcare, as the government would be responsible for ensuring that all citizens have access to essential health services.

 Challenges related to universal health coverage in India:

• Lack of adequate funding for healthcare- It's just only 1.5% of the GDP resulting in insufficient infrastructure, staff, and medical supplies in many areas.

• Unequal distribution of healthcare resources with urban areas often having better facilities and medical staff than rural areas. In rural areas, Primary health care centres (PHC) are short of more than 2900 doctors, with the shortage up by 200% over the last 10 years to 27,120.

• High out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare- According to government reports around 68% of the health spending is from patient pockets. Which can be a barrier for people living in poverty or with limited financial resources.

• Inadequate health insurance coverage- India has one of the lowest insurance coverage, government contribution is roughly 32% as compared to 84% in the UK.

• Limited access to specialized healthcare, with many people in remote areas having to travel long distances to access specialized medical care. Example- Tribal areas of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.

• Poor quality of healthcare services, with issues such as understaffing, lack of training, and corruption leading to low-quality care in some areas. Example-Doctor density ratio in India is just 8 per 1000 as per WHO report.

• Limited awareness and education about health and healthcare, with many people in India lacking basic knowledge about health and disease prevention.

UHC is based on the principle that good health is a fundamental human right and a key component of sustainable development. WHO has identified UHC as a critical target for achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Aayushman Bharat Mission of the Government of India is a positive step in this regard. India has already taken several steps like National Health Policy 2017, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna, and recent steps to incentivise the private sector to open hospitals towards Universal Health Coverage.