primary health care in India is a very talked-about topic in context with the country’s significant economic growth from its independence. This article will offer you insights into what efforts are India giving to improve its primary health care system.

1. How has India improved its primary healthcare landscape?
Today, every forward country has realised that if they can strengthen their healthcare
management, they can improve their country’s economy. Both factors have a direct
correlation with each other. If the country’s citizens are healthy, they can live longer and
work towards the country’s economic progress, and as the country’s economy improves, it
can better its healthcare.
However, offering effective healthcare activities can be a challenging task for developing
countries like India, adding to the fact that it’s the world’s second-most populous country.
Presently, primary health care in India is a very talked-about topic in context with the
country’s significant economic growth from its independence. This article will offer you
insights into what efforts are India giving to improve its primary health care system.
What abilities can primary healthcare avail?
Primary healthcare is considered the first level of contact between individuals and the
healthcare system. This is an essential prospect of a healthcare system that promotes
prevention by offering vaccinations, health education, routine check-ups and lifestyle
counselling. Primary healthcare not only covers solutions for common diseases but also
avoids developing chronic diseases.
Moreover, primary healthcare providers play a crucial role in identifying and treating health
problems at early stages. The country should ensure the primary healthcare system is
designed to be accessible and affordable to all individuals. According to healthcare
information from WHO, India spends about 3.5% of its GDP on healthcare. Let’s get to
know key measures taken by India to improve its primary health care.
● Improving health infrastructure
The Indian Government is actively participating in improving the health
infrastructures, including expanding primary healthcare facilities establishments and
providing basic resources like water and sanitation, electricity and medical equipment.
Using the healthcare information technology system, the health ministry is putting
emphasis on training and deploying primary healthcare professionals in remote areas
and rural areas where the reach of a mainstream medical facility is difficult and
provides essential health services.

2. ● Broadening access to medicines
There are many policies that have been implemented throughout the country to make
essential medicines more affordable and accessible to everyone, especially to treat
common diseases. Primary health care in India is the backbone of health systems.
So the country is setting up public health centres and collaborating with state
governments to avail rural and urban healthcare facilities.
● Enhancing health literacy rate
The Government aims to improve primary health care in India by engaging with
local communities to boost the health literacy rate among its citizens. Community
health workers serve as the key strategy to spread health awareness and provide health
education to the locals.
They are also responsible for offering screening services and working alongside
qualified primary healthcare professionals. The Government is collaborating with
private sectors and international humanitarian programs to improve the quality of
primary health care services quality and accessibility.
● Taking various digital health initiatives
With the implementation of the digital healthcare system, many initiatives have been
launched that are playing a vital role in improving the shape of primary healthcare
in India. This involves access to remote healthcare services and monitoring,
telemedicine, keeping electronic health records, etc., through mobile health
applications. Some of the major initiatives taken are National Health Stack,
eSanjeevani, National Digital Health Mission, mDiabetes, National Health
Information Network, etc.
● National health programs
The Indian Government is implementing smart strategies by launching national health
programs to address specific health issues. According to India’s healthcare
information study, many national health programs exist for maternal and child health,
immunisation, and communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Some major wellness programs are Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram, Rashtriya Bal
SwasthyaKaryakram, Universal Immunisation Programme, Integrated Disease

3. Surveillance Programme, National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control,
National Programme for Control Treatment of Occupational Diseases, Ayushman
Bharat Yojana, etc.
● Healthcare financing
India is taking major steps in boosting the health financing facilities specifically to
strengthen primary health care services. Studies on India’s healthcare information
have shown that the majority of healthcare expenses are paid out of pocket, while a
very small proportion of the population is covered by health insurance.
The Government is expanding health insurance coverage, launching innovative
financing models and enhancing public expenditure on health. 2018 launched
Ayushman Bharat, a health insurance scheme that aims to offer financial protection to
many families on the health vulnerability radar.
Learning from past experiences and recent pandemic scenarios, India has given great effort in
strengthening its healthcare sector. The Government is focusing on monitoring and evaluating
the effectiveness of primary healthcare interventions. India now has robust healthcare
information technology to handle its high population, identify gaps in primary healthcare
connections, and take effective measures to improve their services. The developing country is
making progress and still has a long way to go to ensure citizens have equal and affordable
primary healthcare services. India is working towards taking that multi-faceted approach to
address its large population’s diverse needs.