Needed: More wealth in health

The Indian Express     9th December 2020     Save    
QEP Pocket Notes

Context:  Countries which handled the pandemic best had made investments in health over the decades. For India, this is an opportunity to push through long-pending reforms in the health sector.

Challenges posed by COVID 19 pandemic:

  • On the health care system:
    • The health systems in many of the wealthy countries struggled due to inadequate beds, supplies, healthcare workers and access to non-COVID-19 essential health services was affected.
    • More impact on frontline health workers, such as the accredited social health activists (ASHA).
  • On Social front:
    • Infodemic: Information epidemic (termed an “infodemic”) in society led to fear, stigma and discrimination.
    • Vulnerable sections: including Migrants and poor were affected the most and children suffered due to closure of schools.
  • On the economic front: Massive losses due to a reduction in business activities.

Lessons from the COVID pandemic:

  • Investments in health: In contrast to Thailand and Vietnam which had made sustained investments in health over decades, countries that focused mainly on hospital-centric medical systems struggled
  • Support the community health workers: who work informally and for a pittance
  • Build community trust and participation: which is essential for the implementation of non-pharmacological interventions like face masks, hand washing and physical distancing.
  • Better multi-sectoral response: During the pandemic, health staff, policymakers and technical experts in multiple domains worked together to identify and implement solutions.
  • Timely and quality data: Without real-time data on testing, disease surveillance and other outcomes, tailored responses are near impossible.

Conclusion: It is time to accelerate health system reforms, towards universal health coverage which was the central goal of the National Health Policy 2017 and recommendation of the 15th Finance Commission.

QEP Pocket Notes