Budget 2019 wishlist: Here are the key challenges for healthcare sector

Key Challenges

• Increase in NCD burden
• Shortage of beds, especially in rural areas
• Low spend on healthcare  — We spend only <4% of  GDP on healthcare vis-a-vis world average of > 9%
• Returns lower than cost of capital:  Many health care providers on average earn return in single digits, which does not even cover their cost of capital 
• Lack of clinical manpower impedes healthcare delivery especially in tier2, 3 cities and rural areas 
• Imports of medical devices and equipment: Close to 75% of medical devices are imported leading to forex loss and lack of country specific innovations
• Low reimbursement rates under Ayushman Bharat: Low rates making it