When the National Health Policy (NHP) was introduced on March 16, 2017, it was met with high hopes and grand promises. The then Health Minister, who continues to hold the position today, assured the nation that the government’s health expenditure would rise to 2.5% of GDP in a phased manner. This was a significant increase from previous spending levels and aimed at transforming India’s healthcare landscape from disease mitigation to disease prevention. However, seven years later, these promises seem unfulfilled, and the health sector is facing mounting challenges.
Dwindling Health Expenditure
One of the key commitments of the 2017 NHP was to increase health expenditure to 2.5% of GDP. Yet, recent data reveals a stark reality: government expenditure on health has been steadily decreasing, currently standing at a mere 1.26% of GDP. This is just half of the promised amount and highlights a significant gap between policy and implementation. The reduction in spending has serious implications for the overall quality of healthcare services available to the population, particularly in rural and underprivileged areas.
Regulatory Failures and Public Health Risks
Another major promise of the NHP was to strengthen regulatory mechanisms to ensure the safety and efficacy of healthcare products and services. Unfortunately, recent events have exposed severe regulatory weaknesses. A national racket involved in manufacturing fake cancer medicines was recently busted, underscoring the vulnerabilities in the system that allow such dangerous practices to flourish. This not only puts patients’ lives at risk but also undermines public trust in the healthcare system.
Inadequate Primary Health Services
The NHP also pledged that two-thirds of total health expenditure would be directed towards primary health care. This focus was intended to ensure that preventive measures and early treatment options were readily available, reducing the burden on tertiary healthcare facilities. However, the latest health reports and data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) paint a grim picture of primary health services in India’s villages and towns. Poor infrastructure, shortage of medical professionals, and inadequate supplies continue to plague the primary healthcare system, leaving many without access to essential services.
The vision laid out in the National Health Policy of 2017 was ambitious and necessary, aiming to shift the focus from treating diseases to preventing them and ensuring better health outcomes for all Indians. However, the reality today is far from the envisioned goals. The government’s expenditure on health remains significantly below the promised levels, regulatory mechanisms are weak, and primary healthcare services are inadequate.
For India to achieve the goals set out in the NHP, there must be a renewed commitment to increasing health expenditure, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and improving the quality of primary healthcare services. Only then can we hope to see a significant improvement in the health and well-being of the population. It is imperative that these promises are not just remembered but actively pursued and realized. The health of the nation depends on it.
