Modi's vision of ‘One Earth, One Health' rooted in ancient Indian philosophy, reflects India's enduring commitment to universal health
India raising the slogan of 'One Earth One Health' in itself tells how India wants to develop health infrastructure. This philosophy includes holistic health protection and care for all beings - humans, animals and even plants. Apart from this, making medical treatment affordable has also been a top priority of the Government of India. This may surprise many people, but the fact is - only two welfare health schemes - 'Ayushman Bharat' and 'Jan Aushadhi Yojana' have provided more than Rs 1 lakh crore to patients mainly coming from the poor and middle class. Have saved.
Ayushman Bharat has not only increased the demand for new hospitals but is also increasing the opportunity to open new hospitals and medical colleges. But also creating a new and complete health ecosystem with technology at the centre of operations. These revived efforts for healthcare services have given a big push to the highly potential healthcare sector, which promises to be worth Rs 10 lakh crore in the coming years, if there is proper coordination between the private sector and medical academia. Of course, It would have been even better here if proper coordination with the state governments had taken care of the primary health centres also. Which perhaps the present ministry has failed to do. Whereas at smaller village health centers the testing facility could be linked to the district hospital.
The focus on technology in healthcare is a huge opportunity for healthcare entrepreneurs, investors and professionals. The allocation of Rs 89,155 crore in the Union Budget 2023-24 has also given new impetus to the sector. There is a clear difference in focus between pre- and post-Covid situations.
Springing into action, India focuses not just on treatment but also on wellness. Putting aside the absence of an integrated long-term approach to health for several decades after independence, it is now better to pursue a whole-of-government approach under PM Modi, rather than confining the subject of health to the health ministry alone. Points towards the future. Keeping in mind the problems of common people, the government has given top priority to affordable treatment. More than 10,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras provide affordable medicines to the needy. The PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission is not only giving birth to new hospitals but also creating a new and complete health ecosystem.
There has been a revolution of sorts in the medical education sector in the last 10 years.
More than 260 new medical colleges have been opened, doubling the medical seats in undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses as compared to 2014. However there is a need to change the policy decisions regarding the establishment of medical colleges, and more work needs to be done on how to make India's doors easier for Indian medical students studying abroad. However, in the latest budget, a lot of emphasis has also been given to the nursing sector. 157 nursing colleges around the medical colleges, a major step towards medical human resources. Technologies like 5G are creating new opportunities for startups. Drones are revolutionizing drug delivery and testing services. The medical device sector has seen a growth of 12-14% due to initiatives like Bulk Drug Park, and Medical Device Park, over Rs 30 thousand crore on PLI schemes.
Apart from this, starting courses like biomedical engineering, industry-academia and government collaboration in IITs also has a lot to offer for the sector. However, instead of increasing the infrastructure of primary health centres, we added more to patient care OPD in institutions like AIIMS, while AIIMS remained identified as a research institute and their old contribution to the research sector.
The government's efforts on preventive health care and awareness such as Swachh Bharat Abhiyan for cleanliness, Ujjwala Yojana for smoking-related diseases, Jal Jeevan Mission to tackle waterborne diseases, National Nutrition Mission to address anaemia and malnutrition, obesity Focus on grains - Shri Anna, PM Matru Vandana Yojana, Mission Indradhanush, Yoga, Fit India Movement and increasing focus on naturopathy, alternative medicine system including Ayurveda have saved people from diseases.
All these measures of the government are the beginning of a new era for the people and also a vision of India regarding health in front of the world. Which can be understood in an earlier address of the Prime Minister.
In which the Prime Minister warmly welcomed health ministers from across the world and representatives from West Asia, SAARC, ASEAN and African regions. Quoting an Indian scripture which translates to 'Let everyone be happy, let everyone be free from diseases, let good things happen to everyone, and let no one suffer from sorrow', the Prime Minister expressed his vision of an inclusive country. Highlighted and mentioned that India's vision of health was universal even when there were no global pandemics thousands of years ago. He underlined that One Earth One Health follows the same beliefs and is an example of the same idea in action. "Our vision is not limited to humans only. But also a beautiful earth for every living being. That is the Indian philosophy of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'.
(The writer is a senior journalist; views are personal)
