Understanding The Roadblocks To Effective Primary Healthcare Delivery In India
Introduction
India's healthcare system faces several challenges in delivering effective primary healthcare services despite the economic development which has gained momentum over the last decade. The major reason is the close and complex intertwining of Health and Socioeconomic development - impossible to achieve one without the other. The other crucial factors are the lack of infrastructure, specialised doctors, vast disparities between urban and rural communities, financial status of the patient, outdated technology, untrained or poorly skilled health workers, lack of awareness among the population in general, not enough hospitals, poor doctor-patient ratio, inefficient health information systems etc are a few that need immediate attention.
CSR Initiatives
Public sector companies and big Corporates spend the majority of their CSR funds on Health and Education. The initiatives by the Navratna, PSUs and Corporates include providing multi-speciality facility vans, mobile medical units, ambulances, clinics, toilet construction, spreading awareness about hygiene, financial support to existing hospitals, organising medical camps etc. are more urban population-oriented initiatives and therefore in context of the vast population of the country’s health concerns, it’s like a drop in the ocean. The rural India, where the majority population lives, gets a very minuscule share of attention in the scheme of things.
Solution
In order to establish more sustainable healthcare solutions in the primary healthcare system, it is crucial to leverage technology and innovative approaches. The following solutions should be in place to meet this objective:
AI-Powered Healthcare Kiosk: The implementation of an AI-powered Health Care Kiosk would be a truly practical initiative because of its capability of revolutionizing the healthcare system in rural and remote areas.
These kiosks are integrated with providing essential Diagnostic screenings, health evaluations, and initial consultation as a convenient centre in underserved regions. If the solution is placed, it will help to precise the evaluation, reduce the reliance on limited Healthcare experts, and decrease the diagnosis delay with the help of artificial intelligence.
Faster diagnosis and Reports: It is required to introduce faster diagnosis and reporting mechanisms focusing on the expediting healthcare process in rural Indian Healthcare. As per the current data reeds, incorporating advanced diagnostic technologies such as AI-driven imaging analysis is beneficial for reducing the time taken to identify health issues. Telemedicine platforms are another example which should be utilised here due to their credibility in connecting rural healthcare centres with specialised professionals, allowing for faster diagnosis and consultation, especially in situations where local expertise may be limited.
Reduced Treatment Time: Time reduction in the treatment process is crucial for achieving healthcare outcomes, and technology plays a critical role in attaining this objective. One way to improve treatment efficiency is to train local healthcare practitioners to utilise technology. Additionally, the establishment of mobile health clinics is highly recommended as these are filled with essential medical resources which can ensure timely and comprehensive care. As a result, the need to travel long distances for treatment gets reduced.
Maintenance of Digital Health Records: This initiative seems to be another cornerstone for building sustainable healthcare solutions. Implementing an electronic health record system helps in having accurate patient information, hindering information shortage. This digitalisation provides seamless coordination between healthcare providers and empowers individuals by enabling them to keep their health records.
The good news is in recent years, under the Make in India initiative, some really impressive Startups have come up with excellent solutions by way of creating highly innovative diagnostic tools/ machines, which are technologically efficient and reliable. A robust funding environment created by the government offers a fertile ground for the emergence of not just the innovative models across various healthcare sectors but also improve the general health of the people.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, prioritising the adoption of cutting-edge solutions, including AI-powered healthcare kiosks, advanced diagnostic systems and digital records, is essential to establishing a sustainable Healthcare system in the country. This technological advancement provides the opportunity to improve healthcare accessibility and decrease the time it takes for diagnosis and treatment. Through the adoption of this initiative, the healthcare industry will also get the chance of straightening the ability of overcoming the obstacles caused by limited resources and inadequate infrastructure thereby promoting better well-being and advanced care service to the underserved regions.
India tops the charts in medical tourism, not just because of relatively low costs and high quality of its private hospitals, but also as a destination for medical tourists seeking alternative treatments, such as ayurvedic medicine. According to Business Today, India's healthcare industry is likely to grow up to $37 billion by 2030 and her health-tech industry from $5 billion in 2023, to $50 billion in the next ten years. If the above-mentioned solutions are taken care of, India can outshine most of the developed countries in healthcare facilities of the world.
