If India has to become self reliant in healthcare, the public and private institutions have to work hand in hand, union health minister JP Nadda said on Tuesday.
“To achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047, public-private partnership (PPP) is necessary. Through PPP, we are increasing the number of government institutions. At the same time, private sector is playing a crucial role. Our goal is to provide quality healthcare which is also affordable and accessible,” he said.
Speaking at the inauguration of Max Super Speciality Hospital here, the minister said that on some key parameters like IMR (infant mortality rate), MMR (maternal mortality rate), and under-5 mortality rate, India is recording a sharp decline which is more than double of the global percentage fall.
He said that through the National Health Policy 2017, India has developed an inclusive and holistic healthcare system.
“Earlier, the approach was curative but now the government is focused on providing healthcare which is preventive, curative, palliative and rehabilitative. On the preventive side, we are screening every person (at the age of 30) for oral, breast and cervix cancer, hypertension, diabetes and mental health issues,” Nadda said.
A recent Lancet study shows that timely access to cancer treatment increased by 90% among those enrolled under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
While highlighting a steep rise in the number of medical colleges and MBBS seats over the past 11 years, the minister said that the present focus is to encourage medical value tourism. “We have given e-visa facility for medical treatment to 167 countries. In the last Budget, the finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has promoted ‘Heal in India’ initiative,” he said.
