Context & Theme
- World Health Day 2025 theme: “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures”, focusing on maternal and newborn health.
- Aims to highlight equitable, accessible, and quality healthcare as a global and national priority.
Relevance : GS 2(Health , Governance)
India’s Health Progress & Challenges
- Ayushman Bharat & PM-JAY: Provides financial protection to over 500 million people.
- Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs): Strengthen primary healthcare, but face shortages in staff, diagnostics, and medicine.
- Despite 70% rural population, only 35–40% of healthcare infrastructure is rural — reflects urban–rural disparity.
- Investment needed in Tier-2/Tier-3 cities and incentives for medical professionals in underserved areas.
Disease Burden & Socioeconomic Factors
- Dual burden: Infectious diseases + rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (65% of deaths).
- Lifestyle issues: Sedentary habits, poor diets, tobacco use → diabetes, heart disease, cancer.
- 101 million Indians have diabetes (IDF 2024).
- 1.6 million deaths due to air pollution (The Lancet, 2019).
- NFHS-5 data:
- 35% of under-5 children stunted.
- 57% women (15–49) anemic.
- Reflects issues of poverty, sanitation, education, gender inequality.
Policy Responses to Malnutrition
- Poshan Abhiyaan & ICDS aim at child nutrition but need:
- Strong data tracking.
- Community-level engagement.
- Multi-sectoral coordination.
Healthcare Funding & Economic Stress
- Health Ministry’s allocation in 2025–26 Budget: ₹99,858.56 crore (1.97% of total).
- High out-of-pocket expenditure pushes ~55 million Indians into poverty annually.
- Emphasis must shift to preventive care: screenings, health education, school-based health programs.
Digital Health: Promise & Pitfalls
- Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission & eSanjeevani: Over 10 crore teleconsultations.
- Challenges:
- Only 37% rural internet penetration.
- Low digital literacy among patients and providers.
- Concerns over cybersecurity and data privacy.
- Needs:
- Rural internet infrastructure.
- Training for healthcare workers.
- Strong data protection laws.
Future-Ready Innovations
- AI diagnostics, wearables, remote monitoring — promise early detection and personalized care.
- Must be inclusive, accessible, and equitable across regions and social groups.
Resilience & Global Health Alignment
- India aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
- Leverages strengths: young population, pharma industry, digital ecosystem.
- G20 presidency (2023): Showcased health diplomacy and digital health leadership.
- Need to align with
- International Health Regulations & Global Health Security Agenda.
Mental Health & Climate Resilience
- Tele-MANAS and NAP on Climate Change and Human Health are key initiatives.
- 14% of Indians suffer mental disorders (NIMHANS 2023) — requires more investment and destigmatisation.
Conclusion & Way Forward
- India must view health as strategic investment, not just a social service.
- Requires a cohesive, inclusive, well-funded system focused on:
- Innovation
- Equity
- Resilience
- Whole-of-society approach: Collaboration between government, civil society, and private sector essential for achieving Health for All.
