Healthcare in India has come a long way

New Delhi , August 13,2018 :

As our country gears up to celebrate the 72^nd Independence Day, we are compelled to note that healthcare in India has come a long way and has witnessed path-breaking interventions to address health holistically.

“The health of the people of a country is directly responsible for the progress and prosperity of that country. India has come a long way since gaining independence 71 years ago, especially as far as the health of our people goes. In the last two decades or so, life expectancy in India has increased by more than 10 years, infant mortality rate (IMR) has reduced significantly, two infectious diseases have successfully been eradicated: smallpox, rinderpest, and WHO officially declared India ‘polio-free’ in 2014. The change is visible.

 But the road ahead is still long and winding and there is yet much too be done. The three fold challenge – lack of infrastructure to treat chronic secondary and tertiary diseases, exorbitant treatment cost and high level of out-of-pocket expenses. The time has come to be decisive and bring critical change — prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Private enterprise must join hands with the government to address health holistically, across primary, secondary and tertiary care systems, covering both prevention and health promotion. This Independence Day, let us pledge to adopt a preventive healthcare mindset, leaving the country with the ability to spend more on other important aspects of socio-economic development.”

Arindam Haldar, CEO- SRL Diagnostics