Accessible and Affordable Quality Healthcare at Times Health Excellence 2023 - Insights from Dr Sudha Chandrashekhar

 

Dr Sudha Chandrasekhar (Advisor, HSTP) participated in a pivotal panel discussion at the ‘Times Health Excellence – Telangana & AP – 2023’ event organized by The Times Group and IndiGlobal Media Network. The discussion revolved around the important topic of 'Accessible and Affordable Quality Healthcare' - a subject of paramount importance in the contemporary healthcare landscape.

Dr Sudha with other panellists at the event

Here are the key insights from Sudha’s contributions during the discussion:

• The theme ‘Time for Action’ concerning Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is apt with the changing healthcare landscape, rising costs of healthcare, and new challenges being faced by people. There is also limited time left to reach the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) by 2030.
• India can achieve UHC when states achieve them individually, as health is a state subject in the country. Currently, there is a ⁠huge variation in commitment and action at the state level.
• Telangana's Arogyasri and the national scheme Ayushman Bharat have been pivotal initiatives in paving the way for enhanced healthcare coverage.
• Cracking the issue of primary healthcare can fast-track the achievement of UHC for India. Therefore, building capacities of primary health care providers at health and wellness centres is critical to delivering the 12 packages of comprehensive primary health care.
• India is a country with unique requirements. Global models can only guide India, and we should customise the designs and implementation methods to work for us.
• While financial risk protection through state health protection schemes (health insurance and health assurance) remain critical components of UHC, other aspects like quality care and gender equality, should not be ignored.

"HSTP values the concept of accessible and affordable quality healthcare, and therefore, we build solutions around it while strengthening public health systems. If you look at the work we are doing in Odisha, especially with the Biju Swastha Kalyan Yojana or BSKY - we worked closely with the state to move from health insurance to health assurance with third-party administrator support. Odisha has been in full health assurance mode of UHC since 2021, increasing their coverage from 5 lakhs to 10 lakhs for women in 2019. How did that help? Having state health protection cover helps reduce OOP expenditure on healthcare, reduces disparities, and promotes health-seeking behaviour among the marginalised. It is one of the ways healthcare becomes accessible and affordable for the people. However, it's not the only one and neither does it ensure the quality of healthcare services. Therefore, HSTP looks at an integrated approach - strengthening primary healthcare services by building the competencies of the primary healthcare workers, building the leadership of the mid-level public health officials, and improving access to essential medicines in public facilities. For quality healthcare to be accessible and affordable, public health systems need to see holistic improvements."

• The process needs a collaborative approach and ⁠private sector engagement is a necessity.
• It is important to address the missing middle, (the middle-income class) so they are not pushed deeper into poverty due to high out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare. The urban poor is one category for which India needs good models of healthcare delivery. 

As we march towards the UHC 2030 goal, Sudha’s insights advocate for collaborative efforts and strategic interventions for a healthier, more equitable future for all in India.

Dr. Sudha Shree Chandrashekar is an MBBS medical doctor (1998) with a master’s degree in community medicine (2003, first rank) and a PhD in health economics (2015). She has 25 years of experience in medical, research and administration fields, with a focus on public health and health economics. She has worked with various stakeholders in India and abroad, including governments, academic institutions, international organizations, and private sectors. She has received several awards, scholarships, and grants for her research and teaching work. She has also published and presented her work in national and international journals and conferences. She is an associate fellow of the higher education academy, University of London, UK and a member of several professional associations. She believes in teamwork, process, results, enjoyment and credit for all. Currently, she is an advisor for the Health System Transformation Platform and a senior consultant for World Bank India and Ghana. She has also been involved in various policy initiatives and technical forums on health issues. Her biodata was published in Who’s Who in Medicine and Health Care, 7th edition 2009-10.