Focus on Maternal and Newborn Health
World health day theme ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures’ highlights the importance of maternal and newborn health.
Programs like Ayushman Bharat and Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana provide financial protection to over 500 million people.
Health and Wellness Centres aim to improve primary care but face challenges like staff shortages, poor diagnostics, and irregular medicine supplies.
Need to invest more in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and encourage doctors to work in rural areas.
Tackling India’s Disease Burden
Persistent infectious diseases and rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs) causing over 65% of deaths.
Lifestyle-related issues like diabetes (101 million cases), heart disease, cancer, and pollution-related deaths (1.6 million in 2019).
Malnutrition remains a concern: 35% of children under five are stunted, and 57% of women aged 15–49 are anemic.
Government schemes like Poshan Abhiyaan aim to reduce malnutrition, but better data tracking and community involvement are needed.
High out-of-pocket spending pushes 55 million Indians into poverty annually.
The Role of Digital Health
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and eSanjeevani have enabled over 10 crore teleconsultations.
Digital divide: Only 37% of rural households have Internet, and many lack digital literacy.
Challenges: Cybersecurity risks and weak data privacy laws can affect public trust.
Solutions: Improve rural Internet, train healthcare workers, and strengthen data protection laws.
Emerging tech like AI diagnostics and wearables can revolutionize early detection and disease management.
Building a Resilient Healthcare System
Aligns with SDG Goal 3: Good health and well-being.
Focus areas: Public health infrastructure, universal insurance, and early childhood interventions.
India’s potential: Young population, digital infrastructure, strong pharmaceutical sector.
Global leadership: India’s G20 presidency highlighted vaccine equity, digital public goods, and health diplomacy.
Mental health (14% affected) and climate resilience need attention through initiatives like Tele-MANAS and the National Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health.
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