A report published this month by NATHEALTH, has underlined the lack of awareness and penetration of Health insurance policies in the country. NATHEALTH, a unique health forum created by leading insurers and diagnostic service providers, strives to enhance the accessibility and quality of healthcare facilities in India.
The white paper named 'Aarogya Bharat 2015' has stated that 70% of Indians have not opted for a health insurance cover till date. It also stated that India falls short of the global healthcare benchmark by approximately by two million beds!
Karan Singh, head of Bain's Healthcare Practice in Asia-Pacific, co-author of the above report, said, "Increased investment in healthcare would create a 'win-win' scenario by increasing the number of years that Indians can be productive and healthy, thereby fueling a continuous cycle of economic growth. Fewer sick days translates to increased productivity, higher employment and an estimated 15 million to 20 million additional jobs in the country by 2025."
NATHEALTH, in its report, has recommended more public spending for healthcare (up to 2.5% to 3% of India's GDP). It has also suggested that more funds be earmarked by the Government for providing a healthier future to the masses. The Government health policy for the next ten years needs to encompass issues like prevention of diseases, ample availability of mass screenings and easy accessibility of primary healthcare, among others.