In the book Mission Possible, Swami Subramanian and Aparajithan Srivathsan explore how to achieve Universal Health Coverage, especially in India, where over 1.4 billion people live. This includes a large number of children and elderly citizens, making comprehensive healthcare a complex challenge. The authors offer strategies to navigate this road.
Modern technology plays a key role in this endeavor. An article from The Lancet highlights the importance of collaboration among academics, scientists, civil society, and private healthcare leaders. The Public Health Foundation of India proposes creating an Integrated National Health System. This includes universal health insurance, independent organizations for quality care, and trained healthcare professionals. They emphasize using a coordinated approach in health governance.
To improve healthcare quality, the public health system needs strengthening. It should be the central provider for all health services—promotive, preventive, and curative. This integration can reduce overall healthcare costs while involving the private sector effectively. Historical reports, like the Bhore Committee’s from 1946, recommended establishing a three-tier health system that ensures everyone can access medical care without financial burden.
Mission Possible also mentions the importance of teamwork in healthcare delivery using technology. Local physicians can lead teams supported by community health workers who can perform many duties, aside from emergencies. Each community health worker would serve about 40,000 people and collaborate with a nearby district hospital for specialized care. Each state should ideally host a premier medical facility, similar to AIIMS in Delhi.
Moreover, the authors suggest creating an Indian Medical Service, akin to the IAS, where advanced certified doctors can oversee healthcare in states. Private medical centers should also be part of this system. Some ophthalmology centers in South India exemplify this model by connecting local eyecare workers to advanced hospital research centers, allowing for remote patient monitoring using technology, thus making healthcare more accessible to rural areas.
This vision for universal health coverage is ambitious yet filled with potential, showing how innovative strategies can bridge gaps and improve health for everyone.
