‘Enact Right to Healthcare legislation to ensure quality healthcare to all’: Dr Abhay Shukla

How can shifting from government-funded health insurance to a public-centred Universal Health Care system, while ending PPPs and health service privatisation, aid economically disadvantaged patients?

Phase out the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and institute a public-centred Universal Health Care system, benefitting patients by ensuring accessible and quality healthcare. Public health facilities will supervise admissions in private facilities for conditions not available publicly, ensuring comprehensive care. Strengthening public services and involving regulated private providers will bridge healthcare gaps. Eliminating PPPs and halting privatisation of government health services will prioritise patient well-being over profit, guaranteeing equitable access to healthcare for all.

How can commercialised private medical colleges be controlled and their fees regulated? Is reforming the National Medical Commission necessary?

There’s a pressing need to regulate private medical colleges, keeping their fees in line with government institutions. The National Medical Commission requires independent, multi-stakeholder review and reform due to criticisms of centralised decision-making and commercialisation of medical education. Particular attention is needed for restructuring the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), which disadvantages candidates from rural areas and non-English medium schools. NEET’s imposition is seen as infringing on state-level educational policies.

How can the private healthcare sector be effectively regulated to ensure patient rights, care quality, and transparent, standardised rates?

Efficiently regulate the private healthcare sector through amendments to the Clinical Establishment Act 2010, ensuring patient rights, care quality, and transparent rates. Standardising treatment practices will alleviate burdensome bills for patients. States should adopt or enact similar regulations for positive outcomes. Establishing well-staffed mechanisms, inclusive of public representation, is vital for effective implementation. Enforce the Patient Rights Charter rigorously, mandate indicative rate displays, and operationalise user-friendly grievance redressal systems. Regulate diagnostic rates and prohibit ‘cut practice’ effectively. Additionally, implementing a publicly managed admission system for charitable hospital beds will optimise their use for economically weaker sections, enhancing healthcare access.

How can a people-centred pharmaceutical policy make medicines affordable for all while effectively enforcing price control measures?

A pro-people pharmaceutical policy is crucial for ensuring affordable medicines through effective price control measures, including restoring cost-based pricing and regulating marketing. Promoting generic medicine outlets and comprehensive policies on labelling are essential. Resistance against dilution of Patent Law provisions and rejection of Free Trade Agreement clauses impacting low-cost drug production are necessary. Utilising compulsory licensing can reduce costs for high-cost treatments. Addressing regulatory barriers for biosimilar medicines and monitoring online medicine trade are vital. Strengthening public pharmaceutical industries and addressing Intellectual Property Rights issues will enhance accessibility, along with abolishing GST on medicine sales for broader affordability.