The Hindu Business Line : `Govt to look at public-private model for healthcare'

SHARING WITH PRIVATE SECTOR: The Union Health Minister, Mr Anbumani Ramadoss (left), and the Assocham President, Mr Anil K. Agarwal, at the National Summit on `Public health initiatives' on Monday. — R.V. Moorthy

New Delhi , Nov. 20

The Government is considering changing regulations to allow the private players in healthcare to take up available Government infrastructure that is lying under-utilised, said the Union Minister of Health, Dr Anbumani Ramadoss. "We have to involve private sector in our initiatives so that they share more responsibilities. We have to sit and work out some model and focus on some key areas," he said.

"The public health sector has been unsuccessful in diversifying. The universal insurance scheme that had been initiated in 2003 hasn't taken off," said Dr Ramadoss, addressing a summit on Public Health Initiatives, organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India. The Health Ministry would be conducting a series of workshops to finalise a model of public-private partnership for healthcare insurance by next year, said the Minister.

Dr Ramadoss also said that the Clinical Establishment Act had been forwarded to the Cabinet. As per the new Act, which he hoped would come into effect next year, it would become mandatory for all healthcare infrastructure, clinics and diagnosis to be accredited with the national body appointed under the Act. "Even I don't know how many hospitals and clinics are there in the country. In the current system anybody can get permission from the municipality and start a clinic," said the Minister.

The establishment of Medical Parks exclusively for Indian health equipment manufacturers was also suggested. This would contribute to reversing the trend of importing 90 per cent of healthcare equipment.

The Minister used the opportunity to express serious concern over the booming medical tourism industry. "Indian patients should not bear the cost advantage that India's healthcare offers through medical tourism," he warned.

Though the economy was doing very well, social indices for India had gone up only a notch from last year, pointed out Dr Ramadoss. The healthcare system in India had huge targets to meet, said the Minister.

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