Transforming Ailing Primary Care in India: A Healing Touch

Abstract

Despite having an extensive public health system and a variety of national health programs in the past seventy years, rural population in India still struggle to access quality primary care services. Acute staff shortage, poor health infrastructure at peripheral health facilities, lack of awareness among general public and weak accountability and governance structures are some of the contributing factors. Implementing technology-driven solutions and alternate strategies could be a viable solution to bridge the gap between patients and doctor by provisioning of the primary care. In this regard, to improve primary care, both government and private sectors, alone and in public-private partnerships, have tried a few innovative solutions but with limited success.

 In this article, authors narrate the technological and strategical innovations both in public and in private sectors and suggest ways to implement them in the Indian primary care context. Use of information technology, involving allied healthcare providers for task shifting, creating social entrepreneurship, and tapping the potential of mobile telephony seems promising to complement the Government’s efforts in solving primary healthcare challenges in India.