PPP only solution to healthcare challenge in India: Dr Prasad

Inviting active industry participation to provide healthcare services in India, Dr Jagdish Prasad, Director General of Health Services, today said that Industry should adopt one district in each state to upgrade the medical facilities in District and primary health centres.
"Industry should adopt one district in each state, upgrading the medical facilities in District and primary health centres to provide the best possible quality healthcare services to the common man," he said at a conclave on 'NextGen Healthcare - Roadmap: Healthcare for All', organized by Confederation of Indian Industry here.
Pointing out that Public Private Partnership was the only solution to vast prevailing disparity in healthcare, he appealed to the industry, cooperatives and the NGOs for support specifically in strengthening healthcare delivery systems, drugs distribution, use of Information Technology (IT) and enhanced pharma supply chain management.

"We are ready to support you with funds, even in converting the district hospitals into world class medical hospitals but industry will have to ensure proper delivery systems and strengthened supply chain, so that the facilities and medicines reach even the last person in the remotest areas," he stressed.
Highlighting the solution to this challenge, he also called for integration of working of five key ministries--the Ministry for Rural Development, Women and Child development, Water, Urban sanitation, Education and health.
"Presently, we all are working in isolation of each other and do not know what the other ministries are doing. If these five ministries can derive coordinated campaigns and launch joint schemes, then we would be far better equipped to provide quality healthcare to each and every individual of this country," he said.

"This is because some of the challenges lie outside health-care policy. Two-thirds of the health problems can also be solved by providing safe drinking water and sanitation. Even if we concentrate on these basic facilities, we can control many water-borne and air-borne infectious diseases," he added.