World Health Day: Concerns Rise Over Govt Hospital Privatization via PPPs

On World Health Day, there have been concerns regarding the growing privatization of public health care services in India through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). Doctors and public health activists have been decrying the decision by the government to privatize district hospitals and health centers in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Karnataka.

The government has been encouraging PPPs in health to enhance infrastructure and service provision, particularly for the underdeveloped regions.

 For example, Odisha is going to have PPP specialty hospitals in four districts with viability gap funding (VGF) in order to promote affordability. The critics say this strategy might promote less access to healthcare for vulnerable groups and reduce the public health sector.

Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, an association of public health advocates, has filed a memorandum with the government, requesting increased public health expenditure and an abolition of healthcare privatization. 

Nevertheless, PPPs remain to be viewed as an acceptable alternative to developing healthcare facilities, especially where facilities are found to be deficient.