The Union government has been intensifying efforts to privatize healthcare in India.
NITI Aayog proposed attaching district hospitals to private medical colleges in a PPP mode.
The Finance Minister announced this proposal in her budget speech.
Sujatha Rao's Resignation
Sujatha Rao, former Union Secretary of the Health Ministry, resigned from the Lancet Citizens' Commission due to concerns about increased privatization.
Rao expressed her views on the potential negative consequences of privatizing healthcare.
Madhya Pradesh's Privatization Attempt
The Madhya Pradesh government issued a notification to privatize 10 district hospitals.
The privatization will be implemented through a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
25% of beds will be reserved for paying patients.
Challenges of the PPP Model
The hybrid model of attaching district hospitals to private medical colleges is unworkable.
This model can lead to dual control, confusion, and bitterness between government and private staff.
The government may lose control of public assets and facilities.
The poor may lose access to good care due to the private party's focus on profit.
US Managed Care Model and India
The US model of managed care is not suitable for India due to its large population of poor people and chaotic primary care system.
The model can further exacerbate existing inequalities and make healthcare costly.
India lacks the regulatory capacity to manage contradictions and redress grievances.
Privatization and Social Security
Unregulated privatization of healthcare in India can be a recipe for disaster, especially in the absence of social security.
Privatization can make access to good quality care a privilege.
The government's neglect of health, allocation of inadequate budgets, and lack of a strong regulatory system contribute to the problem.
Many people are driven to financial hardship due to medical bills.
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