Health high on Modi's agenda

Industry awaits implementation

Industry, policy makers as well as public health groups are enthused that Bharatiya Janata Party's election manifesto has focused on some of the key issues concerning the healthcare sector.

For instance, the manifesto which may soon transform into a blueprint, talks of streamlining government departments in the healthcare sector, possibility of an 'overarching lean body' to regulate it, a comprehensive healthcare policy to bring down out of pocket expenditure and need for radical reform of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).

While health itself is a concurrent subject and is largely divided between the Centre and the state, experts opine the development in the sector was also hindered because of over-lapping between various ministries and departments. Health ministry looks at quality and public health, but pricing and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals is with Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. There is also Ministry of Consumer Affairs and Food which regulates some of the aspects. This apart, commerce ministry deals with various trade related issues, whereas Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) looks after patents.

There are also various regulators such as National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) and Patent Controller General of India monitoring different issues in the sector.

A key agenda in the BJP manifesto is to address these overlaps and create a single window system by converging different departments into one, which will look into all health related areas such as food, nutrition, health and pharma. Besides, it has also highlighted the need to review the role of various regulatory bodies in the sector.

Experts say the move is very much in line with Modi's strategy in Gujarat and promises in other sectors.

"This is what he plans to do in not only healthcare but also in other sectors. It will be industry friendly, consumer friendly and also conducive for policy makers as it will reduce differences and fast track implementation," said a senior official in a pharmaceutical company.

NRHM, a flagship programme of the UPA government, has been criticized by BJP. The new government plans to revamp it.

According to Sujatha Rao, former secretary in the health ministry and one who has worked in the healthcare sector for over 20 years, the new regime should decentralize and build capacites of the states and districts to plan and implement health policies. "Currently, NRHM is a Centre driven programme. There is a need for architectural correction in the system and states have to be made active partners in that," she emphasized.

Rao added the new government must institutionalize reforms to address complex healthcare challenges. "The Centre should focus on providing public goods like piped water supply, sanitation, public hygiene and access to basic health care," she said.

The BJP manifesto also promises to initiate a new health policy keeping in view the developments in the sector and changing demographics. However, the broad contours of the same are not yet clear.

Experts point out while Modi's team has already laid out a skeleton agenda or plan, the challenge is to prioritize and sequence the reform.