The supply side

Govt needs to invest more in health care

The National Digital Health Mission, launched on Independence Day, is a step in the right direction because a medical ID and digitisation of medical records pave the way for improving access to health care for a large number of citizens. However, such initiatives would have the desired impact only when the issues in the sector are addressed. In terms of policy, there is a marked divergence in approaches to the national medical insurance programme and the government’s response to Covid-19. The first focuses on creating demand for medical services by offering free insurance, at a time when the capacity is