Free healthcare is provided for by India's constitution. In practice, however, this is not a reality. There are not enough government hospitals or healthcare facilities to do so. Most people seek medical care from the private sector, paying expenses out of pocket rather than through insurance programs.
In practice, public healthcare is only available for those whose incomes are below the poverty level. Although the public healthcare system was intended to cover everyone, the poor quality of care led those who could afford it to seek private care instead. Presently, the country's public health system caters to the poor, and to those in rural areas of the country.
Health insurance programs in India cover hospitalization and associated costs, but not the cost of consultations or medications.
The availability and quality of healthcare in India is variable. Some of its cities have clinics that cater to travelers and foreign expatriates. These may have a higher standard of care than can be obtained in other parts of the country, and have the ability to communicate with reputable hospitals, specialists, and insurance companies, ensuring a continuum of care. On the other hand, India's rural areas are unlikely to have reliable medical facilities.
In the 1980s, the Indian government provides subsidies that helped to spur the development of private healthcare facilities and programs, creating a private healthcare industry that increased in the 1990s and has dominated the market in the 2000s, providing approximately 70% of the healthcare needs in India. This comes at a considerable cost to the Indian people, however. Private healthcare providers in India often offers a high level of medical care, but at costs that may be devastating to the economic well-being of Indian families, while the poor are left with few options.
On the other hand, medical tourism is a growing industry in India. The industry involves medical facilities in India that are able to offer medical care on par with that of developed countries, but at a lower cost. Foreign patients, largely from the United States and the United Kingdom, are traveling to India for medical care, but significant numbers come also from nearby countries like Russia, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. Among the advantages offered by Indian facilities are the latest technologies in medical care at a lower cost, often provided by doctors and surgeons who have been trained in the US or the UK, and who speak English fluently. Although expensive by Indian standards, many procedures can be obtained in India at one-tenth the cost.
Topics related to the public or private healthcare system in India are appropriate for this category. These may include informational sites dealing with any aspect of aspects of the country's healthcare system, as well as Indian healthcare providers, facilities, and programs, public safety programs or agencies, and wellness programs.
Recommended Resources
The non-governmental organization has been based in Mumbai since 1976, where it h as served leprosy patients and been engaged in scientific investigations into topics related to leprosy. Its social and medical roles are highlighted, along with success stories, awards, a photo gallery, announcements, administrative contacts, and a blog. Contributions to the work of the BLP may be made through the site.
http://www.bombayleprosy.org/
Central Council of Indian Medicine
CCIM is a statutory body under the Department Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy, and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India, responsible for devising the assessments and practices to be followed in Indian medicinal systems, as well as the regulation of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani education courses. Learning resources, awards, and practitioner registration are featured.
https://www.ccimindia.org/
The India Hospital is a multi-specialty facility in Thiruvanthapuram, India. Established as a venture from a team from the United States, the hospital features 100 beds, with air conditioned and non-air conditioned rooms, an ICU, and nephrology center, offering subsidized treatment for those who couldn't otherwise afford medical care, as well as conducting periodic free medical camps, the hospital can offer Ayurvedic treatments under modern life support cover.
http://www.indiahospitalkerala.com/
The IDF began as the Indian Leprosy Foundation, which continues to be a large part of its mission, with more than a hundred leprosy projects going on throughout India, as well as providing education to the handicapped, poor and marginalized children in India’s rural areas, tribal villages, and urban slums, and its efforts to empower women through education and vocational training. Its projects, focus areas, and testimonials are posted.
http://www.idf.org.in/
Located in Mumbai, and founded in 1926, KEM is associated with the Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College, on the same campus. The 1,800-bed hospital treats about two million patients a year, providing basic and advanced treatment facilities. Funded largely by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, the hospital renders service to underprivileged segments of the community. Its services and facilities are highlighted.
http://www.kem.edu/
A project of Vinod Kumar Memorial Charitable Trust, the medical portal features medical services and facilities available in India, including a database of pharmaceuticals, information about immunizations and vaccines, available health insurance plans and a discussion of what to look for in a plan, definition of terms used, and the redress of consumer complaints. An introduction to the project is included.
http://www.medguideindia.com/
The tour company specializes in arranging medical tours, acting as a facilitator between patients seeking medical treatment in India with the appropriate Indian healthcare providers, hospitals, or clinics. The service will also take care of making appointments, arranging accommodations, and escort services, even air ambulances if required. An introduction to the idea of medical tourism is set forth, with an overview of treatments available in India, its services, price guide, and contacts.
http://www.medicaltreatmentindia.com/
Maintained by a non-profit organization, the site offers information on medicine and healthcare in India, and at large, including a database of generic and brand-name pharmaceuticals, doctors and other healthcare practitioners, hospitals, medical colleges and medical institutes in India, health issues, and other published information. Articles and data are sorted by categories and directories, and may also be found through a search feature.
https://www.medicineindia.org/
Featuring health information, applications, and services for consumers, physicians, and healthcare providers internationally, Medindia is hosted in India. Offering health and wellness information, medical or health news, special reports, articles, animations, slides, infographics, videos, drug information, health directories, and mobile apps, its content is authenticated by doctors and other healthcare professionals, and complies with HONCode.
http://www.medindia.net/
VH is a multi-specialty hospital in New Delhi, India, where it employs specialists in gynecology, obstetrics, pediatrics, ENT, eyesore, orthopedics, general and plastic surgery, urology, neurology, homeopathy, geriatric care, and general medicine. Its location, services, and an overview of the hospital and accessory facilities are put forth, including a gallery of photographs, schedules, and contacts.
http://www.vardaan.net/
