Author Banerjee, in his article Equity and quality of health-care access: Where do we stand and the way forward? published in the Indian Journal of Community Medicine in 2020, highlights how the provision of health care is divided into ethnic, gender, and other differences that impact equity and quality of access. According to the author, most countries, India included, signed the Alma Ata Declaration of 1978 that aimed to promote fairness and equity in healthcare among member states. However, some managed to achieve significant progress while others lagged on implementing healthcare changes. Over the years, India has managed to implement national programs geared towards equity healthcare, with most being neglected few years into their implementation. Despite these efforts, the author acknowledges that equity and quality of healthcare access, especially due to poor hygiene and sanitization, are challenges that impact overall health.
The author's assessment of India's infant and maternal mortality rates show significant disparities in equity and healthcare access, denoting how far back the country is in promoting health equity. Simultaneously, measures in quality of healthcare and access to better sanitization and clean water among households demonstrated significant variations. Indeed, India was far from achieving equity and quality of healthcare access than other developed nations, with the author warning that more needs to be done to reorient the country's public health system. Apart from the common social determinants of income, discrimination, literacy, and beliefs, the author argues that the government's low budget expenditure on health is another contributing factor to the country's poor state of health care. Most people do not have access to quality healthcare services in most government hospitals due to underfunding, understaffing, and other health-related factors. The author notes that these government facilities are poorly managed and are not in any state to provide quality health services. The private health sector is also facing similar challenges due to a lack of adequate regulations and monitoring.
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Better healthcare systems translate to reduced rates of mortality. As such, the author argues that if primary health care is improved, India will experience good population health. Patients with preventable diseases should access primary care services with ease if the entire health infrastructure is improved. The author acknowledges the Indian government's efforts to address health inequality through the Swachh Bharat Mission and the Ayushman Bharat schemes to strengthen primary and secondary health care over the next years. These initiatives will focus on streamlining central healthcare provision while improving sanitization and access to health services. Along with implementing the National Health Policy 2017, the author notes that the country will increase its overall health expenditure. Undoubtedly, the author believes that these schemes have the potential to change India's public health system. However, he cautions that public attention should be high to ensure no shortcomings befall the progress the schemes have already made.
Assessing healthcare requires measuring aspects of health. The author's analysis of India's mortality rates and HAQ Index ascertain the extent to which the country fell short of providing quality healthcare services. Arguably, equity and access to quality health services are essential issues for any country, and the author has articulated how these challenges are impacting India's primary healthcare system. The article did not blame the government for failing to provide quality health services but rather referred to ongoing initiatives meant to improve the overall healthcare system. Nevertheless, Banerjee's work will provide a focal point for future studies on the progress the healthcare system has made, referring to the article's standpoints and figures.
Reference
Banerjee, A. (2020). Equity and quality of health-care access: Where do we stand and the way forward?. Indian Journal of Community Medicine: Official Publication of Indian Association of Preventive & Social Medicine , 45 (1), 4.
