Right to Healthcare

By Guest Blogger at 12 April, 2010, 4:24 am

Recently one of my friends underwent a kidney stone operation. I went to meet him. During the discussion the topic turned to the medical expenses that he had to shell out for this operation. When I heard the amount, I was zapped! I have to agree that the figure was a tad higher than the average because my friend chose the best urologist in the country and got himself operated in a hospital that is known for its fancy bills. But leaving that aside, let’s suppose that in some other case if the disease itself is critical and requires lot of medical attention, I’m sure in the current scenario, it will cost enough to make the patient opt for voluntary euthanasia instead.

The first thing I did after walking out of the hospital was to check how much medical cover was being provided by my firm.

One might argue that over the years the number of medical professionals has increased and technology at healthcare centers is only growing which means that the chances of someone bleeding to death after a car crash for the lack of adequate equipment have reduced. In effect, most of the people running this business are very well aware of the power they wield and it is not surprising that it is being used to mint money more than anything else.

The facilities are catering mostly to the affluent class and the increased demand from foreigners who are turning to developing countries like INDIA for medical treatment under the tag, ‘Medical tourism.’ Needless to say they are not at all interested in serving the so called common man of this country who will not be able to afford their services.

Yes, there are many Government hospitals which provide healthcare services at subsidized rates but the condition of majority of these hospitals is such that if a healthy person visits them he will have to get himself admitted in a private hospital the next day.

The developed economies are sailing in a similar boat; the cost of medical expenses has gone up. Countries like USA are calling for major revamp in the healthcare industry to make it affordable to the common citizen. Ask president Obama about it who just passed the historic healthcare bill to make healthcare accessible to everyone.

India needs such reforms desperately. Regulatory agencies like IRDA, TRAI are doing a phenomenal job to protect the consumer interests. Similar regulatory body for the healthcare industry has become a necessity to protect the interest of every citizen, more so in an area where the consumer is least aware of the products and totally dependent on the expertise of the physician.

One of the productive steps taken by the government recently is to cap the pricing for a list of essential drugs. One more thing which has helped is the free pricing for general insurance products. The competition among the general insurance players will keep a tab on the cost of health insurance policies.

There is also a dire need to spread the health insurance concept among the masses. Even though the cost of healthcare has gone up significantly, the awareness about health insurance is alarmingly low.

We have acknowledged the right to education, now it is high time we acknowledge the right to healthcare as well; after all worth of a life should not be dependent on the size of the bank account.

Nirman Salgare, the author works as a Business Analyst with an MNC

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Categories : Politics & Society