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Health Scenario of India:
Past, Present and Future
Prepared by: Dr. Etika Rana
BPT,MPT(NEUROLOGY)
Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Mullana, Ambala, Haryana
Learning Objectives
• Describe the health status of India in the past.
• Explain the present health scenario using key indicators.
• Identify major communicable and non-communicable health
problems.
• Discuss important government health programmes and reforms.
• Analyze current health system challenges and inequalities.
• Predict future trends in Indian healthcare up to 2047.
• Understand the role of health professionals and students in improving
national health outcomes.
India at a Glance: Population and Key Health
Indicators
• Key National Indicators
Indicator Approximate Value
Total population ~1.43 billion
Life expectancy at birth ~70 years
Infant mortality rate ~26 per 1,000 live births
Maternal mortality ratio ~97 per 100,000 live births
Total fertility rate ~2.0 children per woman
Urban population ~36%
Population aged ≥60 years ~11%
Public health expenditure ~2% of GDP
What is Health?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO):
“Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being
and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
Health is therefore a multidimensional concept that includes physical
fitness, psychological well-being, social functioning, and the ability to
lead a productive life.
Dimension Meaning
Physical health Proper functioning of body systems
Mental health Emotional balance, coping ability, and psychological well-being
Social health Healthy relationships and participation in society
Environmental health Safe water, sanitation, housing, and pollution control
Occupational health Safety and well-being at the workplace
What is a Health Scenario?
A health scenario refers to the overall health situation of a population
at a particular time. It is assessed through health indicators, disease
patterns, healthcare services, and social determinants.
Major Components
• Demographic profile
• Morbidity and mortality
• Nutritional status
• Maternal and child health
• Health infrastructure
• Health workforce
• Environmental conditions
• Health financing and insurance
Determinants of Health
Health is influenced by multiple interacting factors:
• Biological factors
• Age
• Sex
• Genetics
• Lifestyle factors
• Diet
• Physical activity
• Tobacco and alcohol use
• Sleep and stress
• Social determinants
• Education
• Income
• Occupation
• Gender equality
• Environmental factors
• Air quality
• Water quality
• Sanitation
• Climate
• Health system factors
• Availability of services
• Accessibility
• Affordability
• Quality of care
Comparative Health Scenario of India: Past, Present and Future
Dimension Past (1947–1980) Present (1980–2026) Future (2030–2047)
Demographic profile
High birth rate and high
death rate; rapid
population growth
Declining fertility and
mortality; demographic
transition underway
Aging population with increasing
proportion of older adults
Life expectancy ~32 years ~70 years Expected to exceed 75 years
Infant mortality Very high (>140/1000 live
births) Markedly reduced (~26/1000) Further reduction toward
preventable minimum
Maternal mortality Extremely high
Substantially reduced
(~97/100,000)
Near-elimination of preventable
maternal deaths
Predominant diseases Communicable diseases
Double burden:
communicable + non-
communicable diseases
Predominantly chronic and age-
related disorders
Dimension Past (1947–1980) Present (1980–2026) Future (2030–2047)
Major communicable
diseases
Malaria, tuberculosis,
cholera, smallpox,
plague, leprosy
Tuberculosis, dengue,
malaria (localized), HIV,
hepatitis
Emerging infections and
antimicrobial-resistant
pathogens
Major non-
communicable diseases
Relatively low
documented burden
Diabetes, hypertension,
cardiovascular disease,
stroke, cancer
Higher burden of
multimorbidity and
chronic disability
Nutritional profile
Widespread
undernutrition and
micronutrient
deficiency
Triple burden:
undernutrition, anemia,
obesity
Focus on healthy
nutrition and metabolic
disease prevention
Child health
High childhood
mortality and frequent
epidemics
Improved survival and
immunization coverage
Emphasis on early
childhood development
and quality of care
Mental health Poor recognition and
minimal services
Increasing recognition;
large treatment gap
Integrated community
and digital mental
healthcare
Dimension Past (1947–1980) Present (1980–2026) Future (2030–2047)
Mental health Poor recognition and minimal
services
Increasing recognition; large
treatment gap
Integrated community and
digital mental healthcare
Health infrastructure Limited hospitals and rural
facilities
Expanded PHCs, CHCs, district
hospitals, medical colleges
Technology-enabled, integrated,
and resilient health system
Primary healthcare Early stage development Established nationwide network
Comprehensive family-centered
primary care
Public health approach
Disease control and basic
sanitation
Preventive, promotive, and
curative services
Prevention-first and wellness-
oriented model
Immunization Limited coverage Universal Immunization
Programme widely expanded
Precision immunization and
stronger surveillance systems
Sanitation and water
Poor sanitation and unsafe
water
Significant improvement
through national programmes
Universal safe water and
sanitation expected
Health workforce
Severe shortage of trained
personnel
Expanded workforce but
uneven distribution
Multidisciplinary, digitally skilled
workforce
Health financing Minimal public spending;
household dependence
Increased public spending;
substantial out-of-pocket
expenditure remains
Greater financial protection and
universal health coverage
orientation
Dimension Past (1947–1980) Present (1980–2026) Future (2030–2047)
Technology in healthcare Minimal technology
Electronic records,
telemedicine, digital health
initiatives
AI, predictive analytics,
remote monitoring,
personalized care
Rural–urban gap Very wide Persisting but reduced
Goal of equitable access
across regions
Environmental health Infectious disease linked to
poor sanitation
Pollution and environmental
health concerns increasing
Climate-resilient health
systems and environmental
sustainability
Occupational health Largely neglected Growing recognition of
workplace hazards
Stronger occupational safety
and ergonomics
Population priority
Survival and control of
epidemics
Quality healthcare and
chronic disease
management
Healthy aging and lifelong
well-being
Role of community Limited organized
participation
ASHA and community health
programmes active
Community-owned
preventive health systems
Health policy focus Basic healthcare and disease
control
Universal access and health
system strengthening
Healthy India / Viksit Bharat
2047
Overall health status High mortality, low survival,
poor health indicators
Improved survival with
mixed disease burden
Healthier, longer-living,
prevention-oriented
population
Health Scenario of India in the Past (1947–
1980)
India at the Time of Independence: When India became independent
in 1947, the country inherited a weak health system characterized by
widespread poverty, poor sanitation, malnutrition, and a high burden
of infectious diseases.
Indicator / Condition Situation in the Early Post-Independence Period
Life expectancy ~32 years
Infant mortality rate Very high (>140 per 1,000 live births)
Maternal mortality Extremely high
Birth rate High
Death rate High
Safe drinking water Limited access
Sanitation Poor
Rural healthcare services Grossly inadequate
Nutrition Widespread undernutrition
Predominant Health Problems
• Communicable diseases
• Malaria
• Tuberculosis
• Smallpox
• Cholera
• Plague
• Leprosy
• Diarrheal diseases
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Protein-energy malnutrition
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Vitamin A deficiency
• Iodine deficiency disorders
Health Infrastructure During This Period
• Very few hospitals and medical colleges.
• Severe shortage of doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals.
• Most villages lacked nearby health facilities.
• Preventive and promotive health services were poorly developed.
Social Determinants Affecting Health
• Poverty
• Illiteracy
• Poor housing
• Unsafe water
• Open defecation
• Food insecurity
• These factors created a vicious cycle of disease, disability, and poverty.
Government Response After Independence
India began building a public health system through:
• Primary Health Centres (PHCs)
• Community health services
• Disease control programmes
• Immunization initiatives
• Maternal and child health services
• This period laid the foundation of India’s modern health system.
1947–1980 was a period of high mortality, widespread infectious disease, poor
nutrition, and limited healthcare access. The main public health priority was
survival through disease control, sanitation, and basic healthcare services.
Major Communicable Diseases in India During the Early Post-
Independence Period
Epidemiological Profile (1947–1980)
During the first three decades after independence, India was
predominantly in the pre-transitional stage of epidemiological transition,
characterized by a high prevalence of communicable diseases, recurrent
epidemics, elevated mortality, and limited public health infrastructure.
Infectious diseases accounted for a major proportion of outpatient visits,
hospital admissions, disability, and premature deaths.
Major Communicable Diseases
• 1. Malaria
• Endemic in most parts of India.
• Caused by Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax.
• Transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes.
• Manifestations: fever with chills and rigors, anemia, splenomegaly, cerebral malaria,
and death in severe cases.
• Major cause of morbidity and economic productivity loss.
• 2. Tuberculosis
• High prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
• Transmission through airborne droplets.
• Clinical features: chronic cough, hemoptysis, fever, night sweats, weight loss, and
cachexia.
• Significant contributor to adult mortality.
• 3. Smallpox
• Highly contagious viral disease caused by the Variola virus.
• Produced fever followed by a characteristic vesiculo-pustular rash.
• Frequently resulted in disfigurement, blindness, and death.
• India played a major role in global eradication efforts.
• 4. Cholera
• Waterborne disease caused by Vibrio cholerae.
• Associated with unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation.
• Manifested as acute profuse watery diarrhea leading to severe dehydration, shock, and
electrolyte imbalance.
• Recurrent outbreaks occurred in many regions.
• 5. Plague
• Zoonotic infection caused by Yersinia pestis.
• Transmitted by infected rat fleas.
• Presented as bubonic, septicemic, or pneumonic plague.
• Periodic outbreaks created significant public fear and mortality.
• 6. Leprosy
• Chronic granulomatous disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae.
• Affected skin and peripheral nerves.
• Consequences included sensory loss, deformities, disability, and social stigma.
• 7. Diarrheal Diseases
• Major pathogens included enterotoxigenic bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.
• Common in infants and young children.
• Severe dehydration was a leading cause of under-five mortality.
• 8. Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
• Measles
• Diphtheria
• Pertussis (whooping cough)
• Tetanus
• Poliomyelitis
• These diseases caused substantial childhood morbidity, disability, and mortality before
widespread immunization.
Determinants of High Disease Burden
• Overcrowded housing
• Unsafe water supply
• Open defecation
• Poor waste disposal
• Malnutrition
• Low literacy and health awareness
• Limited access to healthcare
• Inadequate surveillance and laboratory facilities
Public Health Consequences
• High infant and child mortality.
• Reduced life expectancy.
• Chronic disability and loss of workforce productivity.
• Increased household healthcare expenditure.
• Intergenerational cycle of poverty and disease.
Public Health Response Initiated by India
• National Malaria Control Programme (1953)
• National Tuberculosis Programme
• Smallpox Eradication Programme
• Leprosy Control Programme
• Expanded Programme on Immunization
• Improvement of water supply and sanitation services
• These programmes marked the beginning of organized disease control
efforts in independent India.
Public Health Achievements After
Independence
Transformation of India’s Health Status
Following independence, India adopted a public health-oriented
approach emphasizing disease prevention, immunization, maternal and
child health, sanitation, and primary healthcare. These interventions
produced substantial improvements in survival and population health
over the subsequent decades.
Expansion of Primary Health
Centres (PHCs) 1950s onward Improved rural access to basic
healthcare
National Malaria Control
Programme 1953 onward
Marked reduction in malaria
incidence and mortality
National Tuberculosis
Programme
1962 onward Organized TB diagnosis and
treatment services
Smallpox Eradication 1977 Elimination of smallpox from India
Universal Immunization
Programme
1985 onward
Increased vaccine coverage and
child survival
Oral Rehydration Therapy
(ORT) promotion
1970s onward Reduced diarrheal mortality
Maternal and Child Health
services 1960s onward
Improved antenatal, intranatal, and
postnatal care
Safe water and sanitation
initiatives
Progressive expansion Reduced waterborne disease
transmission
Expansion of Primary Healthcare
Key developments
• Establishment of Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and sub-centres.
• Deployment of multipurpose health workers.
• Provision of preventive, promotive, and curative services at community level.
• Outreach services for immunization, family welfare, and maternal-child health.
Public health significance
• Reduced geographical barriers to healthcare.
• Improved early diagnosis and treatment.
• Strengthened community-based health services.
• Malaria Control: A Landmark Achievement
• Indoor residual spraying with insecticides.
• Vector surveillance and control measures.
• Early diagnosis and treatment.
• Health education and community participation.
• Outcome
• India witnessed a dramatic decline in malaria cases and deaths compared with the pre-independence period.
Smallpox Eradication
Strategies used
• Mass vaccination campaigns.
• Active case detection.
• Surveillance and containment.
• Rapid outbreak response.
Milestone
• India reported its last indigenous case in 1977, contributing significantly to global eradication.
Immunization and Child Survival
• Vaccines introduced progressively
• BCG
• DPT
• Oral polio vaccine
• Measles vaccine
• Tetanus toxoid
• Impact
• Decline in vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Reduction in childhood morbidity and mortality.
• Improvement in life expectancy.
Maternal and Child Health Improvements
Services strengthened
• Antenatal care
• Institutional delivery promotion
• Skilled birth attendance
• Postnatal care
• Growth monitoring
• Nutrition supplementation
Outcomes
• Declining maternal mortality.
• Declining infant mortality.
• Improved child survival.
Broader Public Health Gains
• Better disease surveillance.
• Expansion of medical and nursing education.
• Increased public awareness regarding hygiene and vaccination.
• Strengthening of national health programmes.
• Greater government commitment to health planning.
Remaining Limitations Despite Progress
• Rural–urban disparities persisted.
• Malnutrition remained prevalent.
• Sanitation coverage was incomplete.
• Shortage of healthcare personnel continued in many regions.
Health System Reforms in India (1980–2005)
Shift from Disease Control to Health System Strengthening
The period 1980–2005 marked a major transition in Indian healthcare
policy. Public health strategy evolved from predominantly vertical
disease-control programmes toward a broader approach emphasizing
primary healthcare, reproductive health, child survival, population
stabilization, and health system strengthening.
Policy / Programme Year Major Objective
National Health Policy 1983 Universal access to primary healthcare
Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) 1985 Expanded childhood immunization
Child Survival and Safe Motherhood Programme (CSSM) 1992 Reduce maternal and child mortality
Reproductive and Child Health Programme (RCH) 1997
Integrated reproductive and child health
services
National Population Policy 2000
Population stabilization and reproductive
health
National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) 2005 Strengthen rural health infrastructure and
services
National Health Policy, 1983
• Objectives
• Achieve “Health for All” through primary healthcare.
• Strengthen preventive and promotive health services.
• Expand rural health infrastructure.
• Increase community participation.
• Key Contributions
• Greater emphasis on primary healthcare.
• Integration of health services at peripheral level.
• Recognition of equity in health service delivery.
Universal Immunization Programme (1985)
• Vaccines included
• BCG
• Diphtheria–Pertussis–Tetanus (DPT)
• Oral Polio Vaccine
• Measles
• Tetanus toxoid
• Achievements
• Significant increase in immunization coverage.
• Reduction in vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Strengthening of cold-chain systems and outreach services.
Child Survival and Safe Motherhood Programme (1992)
• Focus Areas
• Antenatal care
• Skilled birth attendance
• Emergency obstetric care
• Neonatal care
• Immunization
• Management of childhood illnesses
Public Health Impact
• Improved maternal healthcare utilization.
• Reduction in neonatal and infant mortality.
• Promotion of safer childbirth practices.
Reproductive and Child Health Programme (1997)
• Conceptual Change
• Shift from target-oriented family planning to a client-centered reproductive
health approach.
• Components
• Family planning counseling
• Safe motherhood services
• Prevention and treatment of reproductive tract infections
• Adolescent reproductive health
• Child health services
• Significance
• Introduced a rights-based reproductive health perspective into public health
practice.
National Population Policy, 2000
• Goals
• Achieve replacement-level fertility.
• Improve reproductive health services.
• Delay age at marriage.
• Reduce infant and maternal mortality.
• Increase contraceptive access and informed choice.
• Importance
• Linked population stabilization with women’s education, empowerment, and health.
National Rural Health Mission (2005)
• Rationale
• Persistent rural health inequities, inadequate infrastructure, and shortage of health personnel.
• Major Interventions
• Strengthening Sub-centres, PHCs, and Community Health Centres.
• Recruitment of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs).
• Untied funds for local health facilities.
• Village Health and Sanitation Committees.
• Mobile medical units and outreach services.
• Expected Outcomes
• Improved rural healthcare access.
• Better maternal and child health indicators.
• Enhanced community participation.
Structural Reforms During This Period
• Infrastructure Expansion
• More PHCs and Community Health Centres.
• Increased district hospital capacity.
• Expansion of medical and nursing education.
• Human Resources
• Training of multipurpose workers, ANMs, and ASHAs.
• Increased emphasis on public health manpower.
• Health Information Systems
• Strengthening of disease surveillance and reporting systems.
• Improved monitoring and evaluation.
Emerging Health Challenges Identified (Late
1990s–2005)
• Rising hypertension and diabetes.
• Cardiovascular diseases.
• Cancers.
• Mental health disorders.
• Road traffic injuries.
• Urban health problems.
• This period recognized the beginning of India’s epidemiological
transition toward non-communicable diseases.
• Major Achievements by 2005
• Increased institutional deliveries.
• Expanded immunization coverage.
• Improved maternal and child health service utilization.
• Strengthened rural health infrastructure.
• Greater community participation through ASHAs.
• Continuing Constraints
• Inadequate public health financing.
• Rural–urban disparities.
• Shortage of specialists in rural areas.
• Variable quality of care across states.
• Weak referral systems in many districts.
Between 1980 and 2005, India underwent substantial health system
reform characterized by primary healthcare expansion, reproductive
and child health integration, immunization strengthening, population
policy reform, and the launch of the National Rural Health Mission.
This period created the institutional foundation for contemporary
public health and rural healthcare delivery in India.
Present Health Profile of India
Indicator Approximate Recent Value
Population ~1.43 billion
Life expectancy at birth ~70 years
Infant mortality rate ~26 per 1,000 live births
Under-five mortality rate ~31 per 1,000 live births
Maternal mortality ratio ~97 per 100,000 live births
Total fertility rate ~2.0 children per woman
Institutional deliveries >85%
Full immunization coverage ~75–80%
Population aged ≥60 years ~11%
Major Characteristics of the Present Health
Profile
• 1. Improved Survival
• Life expectancy has more than doubled since independence.
• Infant and maternal mortality have declined substantially.
• Better access to immunization, obstetric care, antibiotics, and emergency services has contributed to these
gains.
• 2. Declining Fertility
• Most states are near or below replacement-level fertility.
• Family planning services and female education have played important roles.
• 3. Population Aging
• Increasing proportion of older adults.
• Greater prevalence of chronic diseases, disability, frailty, and long-term care needs.
• 4. Rapid Urbanization
• Expansion of urban populations and peri-urban settlements.
• Lifestyle changes associated with sedentary behavior and dietary transition.
Current Burden of Disease
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
• Major NCDs include:
• Hypertension
• Type 2 diabetes mellitus
• Ischemic heart disease
• Stroke
• Chronic respiratory diseases
• Cancers
• NCDs account for the largest proportion of mortality and disability in
India.
Communicable Diseases
• Despite progress, important communicable diseases persist:
• Tuberculosis
• Dengue
• Malaria (localized endemicity)
• HIV/AIDS
• Hepatitis
• Acute respiratory and diarrheal infections
Nutritional Profile
• India currently experiences a triple burden of malnutrition:
Nutritional Problem Current Concern
Undernutrition Stunting, wasting, underweight
Micronutrient deficiency Iron deficiency anemia, vitamin deficiencies
Overnutrition Overweight and obesity
• Maternal and Child Health Status
• Improvements
• High institutional delivery rates.
• Expanded antenatal care coverage.
• Increased immunization uptake.
• Better neonatal survival.
• Remaining Challenges
• Anemia in women and adolescents.
• Low birth weight.
• Childhood stunting and wasting.
• Quality of antenatal and postnatal care.
• Mental Health Profile
• Common conditions include:
• Depression
• Anxiety disorders
• Substance use disorders
• Suicide-related mental health problems
• Challenges include:
• Treatment gap
• Stigma
• Shortage of mental health professionals
• Unequal service distribution
Environmental Health Concerns
• Ambient air pollution
• Household air pollution
• Water contamination
• Waste management issues
• Climate-related heat stress
• These contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity.
Health Infrastructure
• Strengths
• Large network of public health facilities.
• Rapid growth of private healthcare sector.
• Expansion of medical colleges and allied health education.
• Increasing availability of diagnostic services.
Limitations
• Unequal distribution of specialists.
• Variable quality of care.
• Overcrowding in tertiary hospitals.
• Weak referral linkages in some regions.
Digital Health Transformation
• Major developments include:
• Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
• ABHA digital health IDs
• Telemedicine services
• Electronic health records
• AI-assisted screening and diagnostics
• Digital health is increasingly influencing service delivery, continuity of
care, and health data management.
• Health Financing
• Public health expenditure has increased but remains relatively modest.
• Out-of-pocket expenditure continues to be substantial for many households.
• Government insurance schemes have expanded financial protection.
• Rural–Urban and Interstate Inequalities
• Significant disparities persist in:
• Healthcare access
• Specialist availability
• Maternal and child health indicators
• Nutrition
• Health outcomes
• Better-performing states coexist with high-burden states, indicating uneven
health development.
Emerging Public Health Priorities
• Prevention and control of NCDs.
• Geriatric healthcare.
• Mental health integration.
• Urban health services.
• Climate-resilient health systems.
• Rehabilitation and disability services.
• Strengthening primary healthcare.
The present health profile of India is characterized by improved
survival and reproductive health indicators, alongside a rapidly
increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, mental health
disorders, nutritional problems, environmental risks, and population
aging. India’s current challenge is not merely controlling disease, but
achieving equitable, preventive, and technology-enabled universal
health coverage.
Future Health Challenges and Opportunities
in India (2030–2047)
• As India moves toward Viksit Bharat 2047, the health system will face
a new set of demographic, epidemiological, environmental, and
technological challenges. Future health planning must focus not only
on disease treatment but also on prevention, healthy aging, and
sustainable healthcare delivery.
Major Future Health Challenges
• Population Aging
• Rapid increase in people aged 60 years and above.
• Higher prevalence of frailty, dementia, osteoporosis, stroke, and chronic diseases.
• Greater need for geriatric medicine, rehabilitation, and long-term care.
• Rising Non-Communicable Diseases
• Expected increase in:
• Diabetes mellitus
• Hypertension
• Ischemic heart disease
• Stroke
• Cancer
• Chronic kidney disease
• These conditions will increase healthcare expenditure and disability burden.
• Mental Health Burden
• Depression, anxiety, stress disorders, and dementia are expected to rise.
• Urbanization, social isolation, and occupational stress may worsen psychological
morbidity.
• Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
• Drug-resistant tuberculosis and resistant bacterial infections are emerging major
threats.
• Irrational antibiotic use can compromise future treatment effectiveness.
• Climate Change and Health
• Heat waves
• Floods and droughts
• Vector-borne disease expansion
• Food and water insecurity
• Climate-related displacement
Challenge Expected Impact
Aging population Increased chronic disease and disability
NCD epidemic Higher mortality and healthcare costs
Mental disorders Increased disability and treatment demand
AMR Difficult-to-treat infections
Climate change Environmental and infectious disease risks
Urbanization Lifestyle disorders and pollution exposure
• Opportunities for a Healthier India
• Preventive Healthcare
• Lifestyle modification
• Tobacco and alcohol control
• Healthy diet promotion
• Physical activity
• Early screening programmes
• Strengthening Primary Healthcare
• Family-centered care
• Continuity of care
• Community health services
• Early detection of chronic diseases
• Technological Innovations
• Telemedicine
• Artificial intelligence-assisted diagnostics
• Wearable monitoring devices
• Electronic health records
• Home-based digital care
• Human Resource Development
• Expansion of medical, nursing, physiotherapy, and public health workforce.
• Training in geriatric care, rehabilitation, and digital health.
• Vision for Viksit Bharat 2047
• Desired Health Outcomes
• Life expectancy above 75 years.
• Reduced premature mortality from NCDs.
• Elimination of preventable maternal and child deaths.
• Universal access to quality primary healthcare.
• Improved nutrition across all age groups.
• Better mental health services.
• Reduced health inequalities between states and communities.
Strategic Priorities for the Future
• Prevention-first healthcare model
• Universal Health Coverage
• Healthy aging and geriatric care
• Integrated mental health services
• Climate-resilient health systems
• Strengthened disease surveillance
• Rehabilitation and disability care
• Health promotion across the life course
Role of Future Health Professionals
• Students and healthcare professionals will need competencies in:
• Preventive medicine
• Community health
• Rehabilitation
• Geriatric care
• Mental health support
• Evidence-based practice
• Digital health technologies
• Interdisciplinary teamwork
The future health scenario of India will be shaped by aging, chronic
diseases, mental health needs, antimicrobial resistance, and climate
change. India’s greatest opportunity lies in building a preventive,
equitable, technology-enabled, and people-centered health system
that supports healthy living across the entire life course and achieves
the vision of a healthier Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Vision for a Healthy India and Conclusion
• Vision for a Healthy India (Viksit Bharat 2047)
India’s future health vision is to create a nation in which every citizen can attain the highest
possible standard of physical, mental, and social well-being through equitable, accessible,
affordable, and quality healthcare.
• Key Goals for 2047
• Increase healthy life expectancy.
• Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases.
• Eliminate preventable maternal and child deaths.
• Achieve optimal nutrition across all age groups.
• Strengthen mental health and well-being.
• Ensure universal access to primary healthcare.
• Reduce rural–urban and interstate health disparities.
• Build climate-resilient and emergency-prepared health systems.
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