Neurologist Calls for Accessible Healthcare and Reform in India

Dr. (Col) Joy Dev Mukherji, a prominent neurologist, has underscored the urgent need for affordable healthcare and comprehensive health insurance in India. He emphasizes that access to quality medical care should not be determined by one’s economic status. In a recent interview with ANI, Dr. Mukherji pointed out that exorbitant treatment costs hinder many individuals, particularly those in rural areas, from obtaining necessary medical services.

In his remarks, Dr. Mukherji stated, “The cost of treatment is so high, there has to be a cheaper, more meaningful health insurance policy for the individual.” He advocates for enhanced medical evacuation systems and increased awareness regarding health insurance among the population. According to him, these improvements are essential for ensuring that all patients, including those from remote villages, can access advanced treatments such as thrombolysis.

Need for Comprehensive Health Insurance

Dr. Mukherji believes that India’s healthcare system requires a model similar to those found in countries with universal health insurance. He highlighted the issue of overcrowded government hospitals, which often compel patients to travel to major cities for treatment. “You know, the penetration of insurance, see, 1.4 billion people, it’s not easy to insure everybody. But the insurance penetration is very much required,” he remarked.

He also pointed out that many countries successfully offer universal insurance coverage and stressed the importance of adopting similar policies in India. The current situation leaves government healthcare facilities overwhelmed, making it difficult to provide adequate care.

Insurance penetration, which measures the ratio of total premiums collected to a nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), is crucial for assessing the development of the insurance sector. Dr. Mukherji advocates for a deeper penetration of health insurance across the country to address the challenges faced by India’s healthcare system.

Health Risks and Rising Stroke Cases

During the interview, Dr. Mukherji also addressed alarming health trends, particularly the rising incidence of strokes among young adults. He cautioned that common practices, such as neck massages at barber shops, could lead to serious injuries like carotid artery dissection, increasing the risk of strokes. “A lot of strokes are happening because of these reasons,” he explained, highlighting that young gym-goers may not be aware of their health risks related to poor lifestyle choices.

According to the Global Burden of Diseases Report 2021, India records approximately 1.8 million strokes annually, the highest rate globally. Strokes claim around 700,000 lives each year, making it one of the leading causes of mortality in the country.

Dr. Mukherji noted that factors such as sedentary lifestyles, smoking, and poor cholesterol management contribute to this trend. He expressed concern about the increasing number of young people experiencing strokes, urging greater awareness and preventive measures.

The Indian government has initiated the Ayushman Bharat programme, aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Launched on September 23, 2018, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ranchi, Jharkhand, this scheme represents the largest health assurance initiative globally. It seeks to provide health coverage of Rs 5,00,000 per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation to over 10.74 crore vulnerable families, representing around 50 crore beneficiaries, or the bottom 40% of the Indian population.

As the government fully funds the Ayushman Bharat scheme, implementation costs are shared between the Central and State Governments. This initiative aims to mitigate the overwhelming patient load in government hospitals, though significant challenges remain in improving health insurance access and awareness across the nation.

Dr. Mukherji’s insights highlight the critical need for reform in India’s healthcare policies, focusing on affordability and accessibility, as well as the importance of preventive health measures to address rising health risks.