Overview
India is the second most populous country in the world – home to 1.21 billion people, 68 percent of whom live in rural communities. Apart from the nation’s burgeoning population, many factors such as economic disparity, poor implementation of public health programmes, lack of awareness and gender inequality add to its already overburdened health care system. India also faces gross inequity in health care delivery – 72 percent of India’s rural population has access to just one-third of the country’s available hospital beds while 28 percent of urban population has access to 66 percent of the beds.
The Narotam Sekhsaria Foundation is committed to improving this situation by adopting a two-pronged approach – partnering with public, private hospitals and grass-roots level organisations to strengthen health care systems, and carrying out public health interventions. The Foundation’s support helps to build capabilities, infrastructure and community outreach programmes.
Strengthening Health Systems
Strengthening health systems is a vital step needed to overcome India’s current health care challenges. One of the key steps in this direction is the identification and implementation of a change in the policies and practices of the country’s health system. It also includes initiatives and strategies that boost the functions of the health system, leading to better facilities through improvements in access…
Public Health Interventions
Health improvements in India, while significant, have not kept up with the rapid economic growth rate. The poor in India face high out-of-pocket payments for health care, a significant burden of infectious diseases, and a rapidly increasing burden of non-communicable diseases. Inadequate nutrient intake, poverty, caste discrimination, gender inequality and lack of access to social determinants of health…