Underline the challenges and reforms necessary to enhance the quality of healthcare in India.

The Indian healthcare sector faces challenges that hinder its effectiveness and accessibility. To address these issues, strategic reforms are essential. Below are the key challenges and suggested reforms:

1. Underfinanced public health system: India’s public health expenditure is approximately 1% of GDP, which is substantially lower than the global average. This underfunding leads to inadequate healthcare infrastructure and services.
2. Staff shortages: The World Health Organisation (WHO) indicates a severe shortage of healthcare professionals, with one government doctor for every 10,835 people, falling far short of the recommended ratio of 1:1000.
3. Urban-Rural divide: A stark disparity exists in healthcare access between urban and rural areas. Rural regions often lack essential infrastructure and qualified medical practitioners, severely limiting healthcare accessibility.
4. High medical costs: A large portion of healthcare expenses in India is borne out-of-pocket, which can push families into poverty. Affordable healthcare remains elusive for many citizens.

To overcome these challenges, several strategic reforms can be implemented:

• Increase public healthcare funding: The government should boost healthcare spending to enhance infrastructure and services.
• Expand telemedicine: Telemedicine can bridge the urban-rural divide by providing remote consultations, thereby addressing staff shortages and improving access.
• Encourage medical education: Policies should incentivise medical education and training to increase the number of qualified healthcare professionals.
• Promote health insurance schemes: Expanding health insurance coverage, similar to the Ayushman Bharat initiative, can protect individuals from exorbitant medical costs.

Thus, addressing these challenges through targeted reforms is crucial for improving the quality and accessibility of healthcare in India.