Roadmap for Answer Writing 1. Introduction Define the importance of public healthcare as a fundamental right and the role of the state in ensuring access to it. Briefly mention the adverse impacts of the marketisation of healthcare. 2. Adverse Impact of Marketisation High Costs: Explain ...
Digital healthcare refers to the use of information and communications technologies (ICT) in medicine and other health professions to manage illnesses and health risks and to promote wellness. Digital health has a broad scope and includes the use of wearable devices, mobile health, telehealth, healtRead more
Digital healthcare refers to the use of information and communications technologies (ICT) in medicine and other health professions to manage illnesses and health risks and to promote wellness. Digital health has a broad scope and includes the use of wearable devices, mobile health, telehealth, health information technology, and telemedicine. For India, digital healthcare presents potential as an enabler for overall improvement of health outcomes, such as:
- Health for All:
- It can ensure availability and accessibility, in remote areas through tele-consultation by using the networks of PRIS, ASHAS, SHGs and ANMs.
- It can bring affordability by providing cashless treatment to the poor by connecting them to health insurers such as- PM Jan Aarogya Yojana.
- Effective implementation of schemes and policies: Access to health data will enable government to strengthen the implementation of health programmes and policies through geography and demography-based monitoring and decision making.
- Enabling citizens to make informed decisions: Through correct information and sources, citizens can overcome challenges such as finding the right doctors, seeking appointment, payment of consultation fee etc. to avail the best possible healthcare.
- Improving quality of care: Electronic Health Records (EHRs) by putting patients’ information in digital form at one place, can help the doctor make an accurate prognosis in a shorter time.
- Digital Innovations: Artificial Intelligence based future solutions can accurately do diagnosis of various diseases besides automating and helping in various processes, thus hringing down the requirement for healthcare professionals.
However, there are various challenges in the path to realization of the huge potential of digital healthcare in India, such as:
- Structural and functional challenges:
- Transforming traditional system: Digitization of hospital governance along with patients’ record and a common platform for both public and private hospitals for sharing information are required. National Digital Health Mission can go a long way in tackling this challenge. •
- Digital divide: Many rural and tribal areas in India have low internet penetration, low digital literacy and lack of digital health infrastructure. This will require investment in health infrastructure and capacity building programmes to train health workers like ASHAS and ANMs.
- Government Hospital Infrastructure: A 2018 report on Adoption of EHR, had highlighted the shortage of ICT infrastructure with only a few major public hospitals having computers and connectivity.
- Data privacy: Digital health records can be misused by the private healthcare sector, diagnostic labs in the absence of access to a quality public healthcare system. Dealing with ethical issues, breach of privacy, and dealing with social stigma are significant challenges.
- Adoption and resistance: Patients and doctors across the globe have shown reluctance in fully adopting e-Health. Companies not only have to prepare the best technical systems but also make sure that they are easy to understand.
- Human Resources: There is a need to hire healthcare professionals with the right skills in e- health so that they are well equipped to carry out the task of providing health care remotely.
In this context, the National Health Policy 2017 envisages creation of a digital health technology ecosystem such as National Health Stack along with other measures, which are aimed at tackling various challenges and achieving SDG 3 i.e. ensuring health to all.
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Model Answer Introduction Recognizing healthcare as an essential fundamental right for every citizen is crucial for the welfare of society. The Indian Constitution, through Directive Principles (Article 47), underscores the State’s responsibility in ensuring the health of its population. Recently, tRead more
Model Answer
Introduction
Recognizing healthcare as an essential fundamental right for every citizen is crucial for the welfare of society. The Indian Constitution, through Directive Principles (Article 47), underscores the State’s responsibility in ensuring the health of its population. Recently, the Supreme Court reaffirmed this, emphasizing universal healthcare access in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the need for stronger public health systems.
Adverse Impact of Marketisation of the Public Healthcare System
Role Played by State in Enhancing Public Healthcare
Measures to Contain the Adverse Impact of Marketisation
Conclusion
Going ahead, the State must ensure that its interventions in the healthcare sector align with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3—ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. This includes universal health coverage, reducing inequalities (SDG 10), and building resilient healthcare infrastructure (SDG 9).
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