India’s march in the field of healthcare has been relentless and in the past decade we have established ourselves as a world leader on quality healthcare. The issues within the country however remain enormous and my expectations from the Government would be raise the healthcare expenditure as a sizeable portion of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 3.5% and target 5% in the budget of 2013-14. The Government must direct the insurance sector to charge its policy and make the premium high in the early years and give no clean bonuses thereafter from the age of 60 when the person has retired and income is limited. This will bring a larger section of the population under medical care and ultimately lead to healthy nation.
The Government must decide on reducing import duty on sophisticated medical equipment for India to be at par with the rest of the world and put its imprint firmly in the field of medical tourism. The Government must look at providing incentives for doctors who work in rural areas and strengthen the emergency services at the primary health centre level. This would mean investment in good medical equipment and higher salaries for those who choose this option. It cannot be linked to the pay commission but a special category that would attract talent and go hinterland and serve. The Government can also think of a 5 year rotation in which they are brought back to the metros in which they are given the option to relocate. The primary healthcare is the state’s responsibility and with the above mentioned I feel that the state will do a marvelous job.
The author is CEO, Dr L H Hiranandani Hospital