Finally, healthcare appears to be truly on the political agenda. I’ve had no less than three indications of this.
First, in Andhra Pradesh, one reason that YSR cited for his party’s win in the recent elections was a universal health insurance scheme started by his government.
Second, a solus ad in the Times of India, Chennai announced the launch of the Tamil Nadu state’s health insurance programme for families earning less than Rs 72,000 per month. Three, this morning a report in The Economic Times that suggests that the government may switch all its hospitals (state and central) to unbranded medicines and use the savings to subsidise free drugs for the deserving.
While I am sure these are just early steps – the viability and sustainability of all schemes is untested – they are in the right direction. About time too.
Apothecurry 