Full Name (abbr.): Universal Health Care in India by 2020 - A Call to Action
URL: Article in The Lancet (Feb. 26, 2011) (Registration required to access)
Objective of the initiative
To strengthen the public health system as the primary provider of promotive, preventive, and curative health services in India, to improve quality and reduce the out-of-pocket expenditure on health care through a well regulated integration of the private sector within the national health-care system
Possible or Committed Parties to this Initiative
India Group for Universal Healthcare
India (health care actors)
Milestones
Starts when a suitable number of contributors and donors have been identified, or
The call to action was published in January 2011
2020, when universal health care in India should be achieved.
Goals and Scope
Three overarching goals:
- ensure the reach and quality of health services to all in India;
- reduce the financial burden of health care on individuals; and
- empower people to take care of their health and hold the health-care system accountable
must be achieved through the creation of an Integrated National Health System resting upon these pillars:
- Service Delivery
- Health Financing
- Human resources for health
- Health information system
- Drugs and technology
- Governance
- Consensus building
The universal health care initiative must pursue synergies with other development initiatives of India, some of which are included already in the India Initiative Book.
Referring to Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights1, and considering that the costs of contemporary healthcare for those needing it is far beyond the own means of most (>95%) of families, all developing countries could consider similar goals and aim for mutual learning and joint advocacy for the benefit of their constituencies.