The development of a country depends on the health of its people. Many factors such as income inequality, poverty, education, social mobility, access to healthcare, place of residence, physical environment, pollution, social conditions and natural disasters affect people’s health. ‘ Health is not just the absence of any health problems. It is a state of physical, mental, social and economic well-being in the environment in which a person lives.’ The health rights of crores of people across the country are under increasing threat.
Pollution is contributing to the climate crisis and taking away the right to breathe clean air. Air pollution claims one life every five seconds throughout the world. Around 140 countries around the world have recognized health as a human right in their constitutions. However, many countries have not passed or implemented laws to ensure access to health services for their people. Everyone has the right to quality health services, safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working conditions and freedom
*Paschim Banga and other cases:*
In our country, the Rajasthan government became the first state to pass the Right to Health Bill. It provides the right to free access to all public health facilities to everyone in the state. In the Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samiti case, the Supreme Court held that ‘in a welfare state, it is the primary duty of the government to protect the welfare of the people and it is the responsibility of the government to provide adequate medical facilities to the people’. Similarly, in the case of Parmanand Katara vs. Union of India, it was said that ‘it is the professional duty of a doctor to save life with due skill, whether the victim is innocent or guilty’. Article 21 of the Constitution provides the right to life. Similarly, Articles 38, 39, 42, 43, 47 state the responsibilities related to health to be provided to the people.
*Health situation in our country:*
The Lancet said that about 11.4 percent of the country’s population in India is living with diabetes. Studies by the Union Health Ministry show that about 13.6 crore people, apart from regular diabetes, have prediabetes. In addition to regular diabetes, diabetes is more common in urban areas compared to rural areas. Cancer cases are increasing in the country. Malnutrition is another challenge. According to the National Family Health Survey, 35.5 percent of children under the age of 5 are stunted. 19.3 percent are underweight for their height. 32.1 percent are underweight for their age. 3 percent are overweight. 18.7 percent of people between the ages of 15 and 49 are malnourished. Anemia is also prevalent. India has one of the lowest per capita beds in the world, with 15 beds available for every 10,000 people. The National Health Policy 2017 stated that healthcare should be improved by ‘investing in health, preventing diseases, promoting good health, and making technology more accessible’. It aims to reduce premature deaths from cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes by 25 percent by 2025. The India Ageing Report 2023 estimates that India’s elderly population will double to 20.8% of the total population by 2050. The growing elderly population will be accompanied by an increase in age-related health challenges.
*Expenditure on Healthcare:*
99,858.56 crores have been allocated for the healthcare sector in 2025-26. This is an increase of almost 11 percent over the previous year. According to the Economic Survey 2024-25, the country’s healthcare expenditure is expected to be 2.5% of GDP in 2025 and 1.9% in FY26. Ayushman Bharat has allocated Rs 9,406 crore, an increase of 29% compared to 2024-25.
36 new types of life-saving medicines have been given concessions from basic customs duty. By 2025-26, 200 new cancer day-care centers will be opened in government hospitals. District-level cancer treatment centers are planned to be set up in the next three years. The target is to create 10,000 new medical seats this year and 75,000 seats in five years.
According to the model registration system released by the Registrar General of India, the maternal mortality ratio in the country has significantly reduced by 33 points from 130 per lakh live births in 2014-16 to 97 per lakh live births in 2018-20. The infant mortality rate has decreased from 39 per 1000 live births in 2014 to 28 per 1000 live births by 2020. The neonatal mortality rate, which was 26 per 1000 births in 2014, has decreased to 20 per 1000 births by 2020. The under-5 mortality rate, which was 45 per 1000 births in 2014, has decreased to 32 per 1000 births by 2020. According to National Health Accounts estimates, out-of-pocket spending, as a percentage of total health expenditure, has decreased from 64.2% in 2013–14 to 39.4% in 2021–22.
*Challenges* :
There are only 1.3 hospital beds per 1,000 people. This is much lower than the WHO recommended 3.5 per 1,000. There is a severe shortage of doctors in rural areas. 77 million people suffer from diabetes (second in the world after China). This number is expected to increase to 135 million by 2045. The country has the highest number of people suffering from the most common chronic diseases in the world. The fifth round of the National Family Health Survey said that 6.4 percent of women and 4.0 percent of men aged 15 to 49 are obese. The number of cancer cases in the country is expected to increase from 14.6 lakh in 2022 to 15.7 lakh by 2025. Heart diseases are a major health problem in our country. According to a World Health Organization report, one-fifth of the 179 million heart attack deaths worldwide occur in our country. In addition, the number of people who regularly consume tobacco and alcohol is increasing, especially among the youth. Their use damages the lungs, liver, and kidneys. Not only that, there is an increased risk of various cancers. Furthermore, due to increasing construction activities, increasing number of factories, and increasing number of vehicles, respiratory diseases like asthma and bronchitis are increasing due to air pollution. Water pollution and drinking untreated water are also increasing stomach related diseases.
*What are the reasons:*
Changing lifestyle, better living standards, migration to cities, irregular working hours, sedentary habits, stress, pollution, change in eating habits, easy availability of fast food are some of the reasons for the increase in diabetes in the country. Unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, tobacco and alcohol consumption are some of the reasons for the increase in cancer patients. The reasons for this include irregular eating habits, excessive consumption of meat, excessive consumption of junk food, lack of exercise, sleeping late at night, and working in jobs that require sitting for long periods of time.
*Must focus one and all:*
The challenges facing us must be addressed without delay. The number of doctors must be increased. There should be no custom duty or any other taxes on medicines. People should also focus on personal care. The maternal and infant mortality rate must be further reduced. Advanced medical facilities must be provided in tribal areas. All people must be brought under the ambit of health insurance. Addressing infrastructure gaps, mental health issues, and affordability challenges is crucial to achieving universal health coverage and improving overall health outcomes.
