India may be gaining acceptance in the West as a medical tourism destination, but Prime Minister Manmohan Singh wants Indians to first get access to quality and affordable treatment.
“Public-private partnership in higher level health care also needs serious consideration, especially in view of our resource constraints,” he said, acknowledging the fact that many Indians are still unable to afford quality medical care.
The call for PPP model in health sector comes at a time when the government has initiated an exercise to accredit private hospitals to help them woo overseas patients for treatment here.
Inaugurating the 52nd meeting of the National Development Council for approval of the Draft Approach Paper to the 11th Plan, Singh said: “The Approach Paper endorses the need for a very substantial increase in resource commitment in Health, where we are seriously lagging behind other developing countries in Asia.”
“We should also ensure that functioning of the public sector health system improves,” the Prime Minister said.
Singh also wanted steps to ensure the success of the Integrated Child Development Scheme, which aims to give children below the age of six the right start in life.
“The programme must also be universalised during the 11th Plan,” he said, inviting states to give their views on the matter.