The Hindu : Opinion / Letters to the Editor : Healthcare

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 15, 2005

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Healthcare

The editorial "Creating healthy hospitals" (April 5) is thought provoking. The regulation of private health-providers has been a matter of debate for many years. In view of the mushrooming of private hospitals, where the common man has no place, an effective mechanism, preferably self- regulatory, is the need of the hour.

D.V.G. Sankararao,
Vizianagaram, A.P.

Unqualified, unregistered medical practitioners are still the major healthcare providers in rural areas. Reining them in through a licensing system will adversely affect the health of the poor who cannot afford to go to a licensed health facility. Also, the model of healthcare being practised in India is mostly doctor-centric and specialist driven. If we have to make primary healthcare accessible to all, the responsibility has to be devolved to lower levels. Health workers and nurses have to be empowered to provide healthcare. Any licensing will have to address this whole issue of non-doctor health practitioners.

V. Philip,
New Delhi

Notwithstanding the Bhore Committee recommendations of 1946, nothing significant has happened with respect to the healthcare delivery system in India. The discrepancies in healthcare for the haves and have-nots have only widened. Regulation of private healthcare providers is the need of the day. The Indian Medical Association and similar bodies can be roped in to evolve regulations for ethical medical practice that could include protocols, audit of medical procedures and prescription.

G. Gopalakrishnan,
Tiruchi, T.N.

Related Stories:
CREATING HEALTHY HOSPITALS

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Opinion