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Study
India Needs 7 Lakh Additional Doctors by 2025
Report suggests that investment of Rs 3,70,000 crore would
be required to reach the aspiration of two hospital beds per thousand population
by 2025
A joint study released by research firm Ernst & Young and Federation of
Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) titled 'Fostering quality healthcare
for all' illustrates current characteristics of the Indian healthcare landscape
and the gaps that exist between the healthcare needs of the consumer and the
existing delivery mechanism. The report identifies lack of medical infrastructure,
inequity in the distribution of healthcare facilities, low accessibility of
healthcare facilities and lack of initiatives assuring the consumers about the
quality of medical care provided as key challenges that need to be addressed
for India to achieve its aspiration towards 'quality healthcare for all.' The
report clearly indicates that from the current status where we stand, a reactive
approach will not help. Instead, a proactive multi-pronged approach is required
which not only addresses the infrastructure needs for curative care but equally
focuses on preventive and promotive aspects. This requires comprehensive planning
among different government entities. India's disease burden from non-communicable
disease is likely to double by 2020. With this alarming increase, it is imperative
to focus on promoting healthy lifestyles and standards of wellness. This is
an opportunity for the private sector to develop the wellness business and industry
bodies should work towards nurturing this effort, says the report. According
to the study, to reach the aspiration of two hospital beds per thousand population,
an additional 17.5 lakh beds and requisite infrastructure for medical education
would need to be created by year 2025. For this, an estimated investment of
Rs 3,70,000 crore ($ 86 billion) would be required. Kali Prasad, Partner, Health
Sciences Practice, Ernst & Young stated, "The healthcare sector is
witnessing an exponential growth and attracting several players and investors.
While the Government has undertaken positive initiatives and recognised the
sector as priority in the eleventh five-year-plan, still a lot needs to be done.
The report suggests strategies based on three critical indices of access, affordability
and assurance— which can improve quality healthcare for the Indian consumer."
He further added, "What is required is a positive, pro-active approach
from all stakeholders to re-organise the healthcare system. Apart from funds,
this would require stakeholders to adopt a joint strategy in building awareness
in society to demand quality healthcare, advocating right to quality healthcare
at a political level and demanding legislative changes to facilitate availability
of quality healthcare".
The report identifies boosting human resources and public private partnership
as key to achieving India's aim of 'quality healthcare for all.' The report
underscores the importance of public private partnership in augmenting resources
for growth of secondary and tertiary healthcare systems in the country. The
managerial capabilities of private sector can be leveraged to enhance the efficiency
of government infrastructure.
Considering there is a net addition of around 17,000 doctors per year against
a requirement of seven lakh additional doctors by the year 2025, additional
medical colleges would need to be set up. India will need to proactively address
some of the policy impediments which have limited addition of medical education
facilities in this country. Such initiatives would more than double the number
of doctors by the year 2025, thus increasing the number of doctors from 0.6
to around 1.0 doctor per thousand population.
FICCI-Ernst & Young study recommends five key initiatives that need to be
undertaken in the journey towards quality healthcare for all:
- Reduce the disease burden itself by promoting health
and focusing on preventive care.
- Convert latent need into active demand for healthcare
by enhancing affordability of healthcare services.
- To cater to the unleashed demand, focus on building
adequate physical healthcare infrastructure which is capable and is equitably
distributed.
- Enhance assurance on the quality of healthcare delivered.
- To stimulate development of healthcare system capacity,
generate periodic health intelligence information at micro level.
EH News Bureau
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