Every year on December 12th, Universal Health Coverage Day is celebrated with the aim of ensuring that everyone, everywhere, has access to quality health care without financial hardship. The day serves as a reminder that access to quality, affordable health services is a fundamental human right, and it calls on governments, organizations and communities to strengthen health systems, reduce inequalities and invest in universal health coverage.
Theme 2025: Unaffordable health costs? We’re sick of it!
Does India provide Affordable Healthcare To everyone?
To a larger extent, yes. Indian government provides affordable healthcare to its citizen through a vast public healthcare system and several targeted schemes but there lies a significant disparity in quality and access in rural and urban areas.
- Public healthcare in India is essentially free for all residents at government facilities, with no deductibles or co-payments for most services.
- Under Ayushman Bharat, the government has introduced health assurance schemes PM-JAY and primary health centers AAMs both in rural and urban areas.
- Programs like the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) and Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) pharmacies provide quality generic and anti-cancer medicines at significantly discounted prices, reducing the cost of essential drugs.
- The national eSanjeevani telemedicine service facilitates online consultations with doctors, bridging the geographical gap and providing access to specialist medical care in remote areas.
Then why people opt for private healthcare systems despite of affordable public system?
More than half the population of India prefer private healthcare over government systems despite significant higher costs prioritizing speed and quality over affordability.
- Private hospitals offer significantly shorter waiting times for consultations and diagnostics.
- The modern infrastructure offered by private hospitals including cleanliness, advanced technology, private rooms rather than shared wards are widely recognized.
- Specialized care and Diagnostic precision are another reason for choosing private hospitals.
- Public hospitals often face shortages of doctors, essential medicines, diagnostic equipment, and other staffs.
- Many people avoid public healthcare because doctors and nurses, particularly in maternity wards, are often reported to be rude or dismissive towards patients.
- Government schemes like PMJAY now allow millions of low-income families to access private hospitals (included in that scheme) for secondary and tertiary care at no personal cost.
In conclusion, India has made significant progress toward providing affordable healthcare through public hospitals, government schemes, and digital health initiatives. Yet, the preference for private healthcare highlights persistent gaps in quality, infrastructure, and patient experience within the public system. Achieving true universal health coverage will require not only expanding access but also improving the reliability, dignity, and efficiency of care across all facilities. Only then can healthcare truly serve everyone.
Can India ever achieve a balance where public healthcare is both affordable and preferred?
MBH/PS