India Health Progress (IHP), a call for action group with the objective of providing a health policy platform for its stakeholders to voice their concerns over the lack of accessibility to healthcare, concluded the second edition of the health access week with an expert round table in Mumbai. The aim behind this event was to bring some of the most respected names from the healthcare industry to discuss and deliberate issues related to universal access to healthcare and the government priorities thereby.

The panel debated on various aspects leading to identifying some of the  possible solutions to making universal access to healthcare a reality. The  panel agreed that controlling drug prices alone would not ensure effective access to healthcare solution.

The panel asserted that real problems that need to be addressed include ensuring efficient panelists on the IHP expert round table healthcare delivery  mechanisms. In addition, the panel also concurred on the need to ensure overall infrastructure that supplements the provision of appropriate healthcare facilities to be instituted and facilitated by relevant working groups within  the state and central governments. This includes basic sanitation facilities  along with a hygienic environment to avoid health issues.

Aman Gupta, principal advisor, India Health Progress, said, “India health  progress hosted the round table with the intent to discuss the priorities that  the Government should adopt to translate the healthcare access dream into a reality. Unless the right priorities are pinpointed and then pursued as policies to advance healthcare access, we will keep running around in circles year  after year, decade after decade. At India health progress, we believe  healthcare requires the right intervention arising from the top, if it is to finally succeed.”

He further informed that last year, prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh had affirmed that the Government would lay emphasis on Health in the 12th five year plan (2012-17), with funds not being a constraint in the area of health. “This is heartening news indeed, however, this is just one aspect. Unless allocated funds are wisely channelled for healthcare purposes, we would be back to square one,” added.

Universal access to healthcare has been one of the perpetual dreams of almost every Government  since Independence. Yet, that is just what it has remained – a dream – never having been realised during the past six decades. This fruitless mission can be attributed to one fact: pursuit of the wrong priorities. Had this not been the case, universal access to healthcare would have been realised long ago.

“Augmenting health infrastructure and human resources are two areas where we believe the private sector could work shoulder to shoulder with the  Government in meeting national goals. Working with a common vision and  shared goals, the public and private sector could act as a formidable entity in reaching new healthcare milestones and accomplishing what has until now seemed mission impossible – universal healthcare access,” Gupta added.

Some of the key points that were discussed during the round table include how PPP could lead to ensuring better infrastructure and providing greater access to patients. They also focused on the fact that while there is adequate fund in the Indian public health sector, the concern lies in the way funds are channelised and utilised.

Further they also shared insights on how affordability and quality patient healthcare should go hand in hand; along with proper availability of infrastructure in the rural areas.

They further discussed on financing of health which is a key concern for providing primary healthcare along with demand to focus on right to healthcare which should be made fundamental to every citizen of India.