Health Care

References

Cite

Share

Abstract

This chapter discusses the dismal state of health care in India and the scope for change. Drawing on a wealth of survey data, it brings out the gaping deficiencies of public health facilities as well as India's poor health outcomes. In fact, India's health indicators do not compare favourably with those of Bangladesh or even Nepal, in spite of India's much higher per‐capita GDP and faster GDP growth. Of course, some Indian states (notably Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Himachal Pradesh) have made health care a priority and, correspondingly, forged ahead in terms of health indicators. Recent evidence also suggests significant progress in this field in other states, including some—like Bihar—that have a long record of poor governance.