Achieving universal health coverage in India: The power of collaboration between government, private sector and civil society

Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is a global goal that aims to ensure that everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic location, can access quality health services without financial hardship. In India, achieving UHC is essential to improving health outcomes for the country’s large and diverse population. As health disparities prevail between rural and urban regions and among marginalized communities, a multisectoral approach involving government, the private sector and civil society is vital to making UHC a reality.

The role of government: policy and infrastructure development

The government is the backbone of India’s efforts to achieve UHC. It has done much for the health standards of its citizens through large-scale health policies and programs to expand access to health care. The most popular program recently launched by the central government is Ayushman Bharat, a national health insurance scheme that aims to provide health insurance coverage to over 500 million, especially those at the bottom of the pyramid. This drive aims to reduce out-of-pocket costs, one of the most influential impediments to health-seeking behavior among millions of people in India.

Ayushman Bharat also aims to open health and wellness centers across the country to provide preventive, diagnostic and curative care, especially operationally in rural areas. However, it is suggested that these steps are quite positive and furthermore there are certain areas in terms of awareness, outreach and health infrastructure that still need emerging in rural areas. The government must move forward through capacity building, training of health human resources and improvement of health facilities at all levels.

The role of the private sector: innovation and specialized care

India’s private healthcare sector plays an important role in supporting the government’s health initiative. Although 70% of the total healthcare infrastructure is privately owned, the sector plays an important role in providing healthcare to meet the needs of the population in both urban and rural settings. Private sectors such as hospitals, companies that develop drugs and technology applications that can be used in healthcare, starting from scratch to build facilities, and employ professionals fit for the job.

Public-private partnerships have provided solutions to health challenges, especially in rural areas where there are few health facilities. In these partnerships, private hospitals can provide essential health care through programs like Ayushman Bharat, while private industries can bring technological solutions like telemedicine where people in far-flung areas cannot afford to travel long distances to consult specialists . These partnerships can also help overcome the shortage of health facilities by building hospitals, mobile clinics and diagnostic centers in areas with low density of these facilities.

In addition, examining the important role of the private sector in the implementation of CSR has also become a breakthrough in the improvement of CSU. In CSR, many companies sponsor programs for health-related issues with an emphasis on prevention and specific treatments for specific less fortunate groups.

The role of civil society: mobilizing communities and addressing social determinants

Civil society organizations (CSOs) are the driving force behind community-level health interventions. CSOs work in the most remote and marginalized communities, where access to health care is limited and social determinants such as poverty, education and gender inequality further exacerbate health disparities. These organizations are instrumental in creating awareness about government programs like Ayushman Bharat, ensuring that the intended beneficiaries understand and use these services.

CSOs also address the broader social determinants of health, such as improving sanitation, nutrition and education, all of which have a direct impact on health outcomes. In many cases, CSOs collaborate with government agencies to implement health programs, bringing their deep understanding of local communities and cultural sensitivities to the table.

In addition, CSOs can act as mediators between the private sector and the communities they serve, helping to facilitate partnerships that make health care more accessible to those who need it. For example, CSOs are often involved in running mobile health camps or organizing telemedicine consultations in collaboration with hospitals and private companies.

The power of collaboration: a path to UHC

Achieving UHC in India requires a coordinated effort between the government, the private sector and civil society. While each stakeholder brings unique strengths to the table, collaboration between them is essential to ensure that health services reach every individual, regardless of location or socioeconomic background.

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have proven to be one of the most effective models for expanding access to health. Government can provide policy frameworks and regulatory support, while the private sector can provide resources, technology and specialist expertise. Civil society organizations, in turn, ensure that these services reach the most vulnerable populations and advocate for policies that reflect people’s needs.

These collaborations have already begun to make a difference. For example, many private hospitals provide free or subsidized services under government schemes, while CSOs facilitate outreach programs that educate the public about preventive health care and disease management. Ms. Kamal Hinduja, wife of Mr. Prakash Hinduja (Trustee of the Hinduja Foundation and Chairman of the Hinduja Group, Europe) emphasizes the importance of collaboration in achieving UHC in India: “Universal health coverage is a goal that can only be achieved through combined efforts from government, the private sector and civil society Each of these entities has a critical role to play in ensuring that health services are accessible, affordable and of high quality Together, we can create a system where no individual is left behind, regardless of their socio-economic origin or geographical location. We can build a healthier and more equitable India.”

India’s path to achieving universal health coverage is complex but achievable. Government, the private sector and civil society must continue to work together to overcome health disparities, build infrastructure and make health services accessible to all. With a coordinated and collaborative approach, India can move closer to realizing the vision of UHC and ensure that every citizen has access to the health care they deserve.