Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
In News:Why extending national health insurance scheme to elderly is not enough
India is not only the world’s most populous country but also among the fastest ageing. In this context, examine the need of having a reliable healthcare system for the elderly. What are the steps taken by the government in this regard?
India’s rapidly ageing population necessitates a reliable healthcare system for the elderly to address their unique health challenges and ensure their well-being.
Need for a reliable healthcare system for the elderly:
- Increasing burden of non-communicable diseases: Although the country’s life expectancy is 70 years, the healthy life years are only 63.5. Surveys and studies have provided evidence of increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, disabilities and a bedridden older population
- High out-of-pocket expenditure: Out-of-pocket (OOP) healthcare spending for inpatient care is twice as high for the elderly compared to the younger population. Due to high OOP, catastrophic health expenditures (CHE) can push families into poverty.
- Inadequate social security: With only one in five seniors covered by health insurance,with nearly 92 per cent of the workforce engaged in informal labour,the current social security system for older adults is insufficient.
- Need for long-term care: Many elderly individuals require long-term care services due to chronic conditions that cannot be resolved in a single treatment episode, highlighting the necessity for a comprehensive healthcare approach.
- Changing family dynamics: The shift towards nuclear families and increased economic dependency means that older adults may lack adequate support systems at home, making access to reliable healthcare even more critical.
Government Steps Taken
- National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly (NPHCE): Launched in 2010, this program aims to provide accessible and affordable healthcare services specifically tailored for older adults, including preventive, curative, and rehabilitative care.
- Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY): This flagship health insurance scheme has been extended to cover older adults, providing financial protection against high medical costs and improving access to necessary healthcare services.
- Health and Wellness Centres: Under the Ayushman Bharat initiative, these centres focus on delivering comprehensive primary healthcare services to the elderly population, promoting preventive care and healthy ageing.
- Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act (2007): This legislation provides a legal framework for the welfare of senior citizens, ensuring their rights to maintenance and care from their children or relatives.
- Training and Capacity Building: The government is investing in training healthcare providers in geriatric care to improve service delivery and ensure that the specific needs of older patients are met effectively.
As India faces a significant demographic transition with an increasing elderly population, establishing a robust healthcare system is crucial.
India’s healthcare system needs more holistic reforms that integrate primary and tertiary care support, especially for the ageing population whose health issues often demand continuous attention.
| PYQ : Critically examine the effects of globalization on the aged population in India. 2013 GS 1In order to enhance the prospects of social development, sound and adequate health care policies are needed particularly in the fields of geriatric and maternal health care. Discuss. 2020 GS 2 |