In India, healthcare challenges remain diverse and complex. Given the state of our country’s public healthcare system and expensive private sector-funded hospitals, equal access to health for all remains a dream that would need a lot of work. Since health binds us all in all aspects of our lives, the lack of a quality public healthcare system deprives many of the population of healthy lifestyles and choices, impacting the overall development of the country’s economic and social conditions.
Less quality infrastructure, faculty members, limited spending on a robust healthcare network, low number of skilled healthcare workers, lack of awareness around many diseases and the increasing burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases have further compromised India’s public healthcare network.
In 2023-24, the government’s spending on the healthcare system has been 1.9 per cent, a slight increase from 1.28 per cent during 2018-19. Although several health schemes and policies such as Ayushmaan Bharat, Awaz health insurance scheme, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, National Health Policy, and so on, have concentrated on improving the health of rural and urban communities, a sheer lack of community-level mobilisation and awareness along with unequal allocation of resources have hindered their meaningful implementation.
Non-profits as a bridge of funding for bridging healthcare challenges
All the recently-framed health policies and programmes in India are aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030, however, with a population of about 1.38 billion and more, there will always be an ever-increasing need for robust healthcare services. Although multiple efforts have been spearheaded by the government to address a variety of healthcare needs, there remains a vast gap in the accessibility and availability of healthcare across all segments. Here although there is a need for the private sector to bridge the gap, it faces the vast challenge of providing affordable healthcare to a large section of the population while ensuring their sustenance and efficiency.
Non-profit organisations, driven by the spirit and commitment of welfare, have the reputation of providing affordable and accessible healthcare for all with a special focus on marginalised communities.
For non-profits, it is imperative to complement the healthcare system as the industry has always bridged the healthcare challenges with social reforms, working towards community involvement and educating the masses and spreading awareness. Going beyond profit-making, non-profits have used funds and resources from several international donors and governments to offer people affordable preventative and curative healthcare.
A non-profit-funded medical healthcare system is key in bridging the gap in expenses. These hospitals are often owned by philanthropic leaders and social entrepreneurs and charge less for services than for-profit facilities, and the money received from fees—above the cost of care—is used to fund further hospital improvements. These hospitals have the potential to address India’s healthcare problems, affordability and availability and their facilities, offerings and fees are designed to serve the nation’s impoverished and unreachable citizens.
Furthermore, institutions with the involvement of NGOs have succeeded in fostering a sense of goodwill throughout the nation via a variety of community service initiatives in addition to providing altruistic medical treatment with a social purpose.
The setting up of community hospitals is one more way to ensure primary healthcare is accessible to all. These hospitals are not necessarily influenced by any faith but operate on the premise that selfless service to the underprivileged will result in all-around social reform. Highly motivated doctors, or a team of likeminded doctors, desiring to give back to society, have founded many such hospitals, often in the same community where they were born/raised.
In what ways can non-profits help enhance the healthcare system
Building more primary and preventive healthcare: At the community and rural levels, NGOs play a crucial role in setting up hospitals and medical centres to prevent diseases and day-to-day illness from blowing up to a larger scale. Several NGOs have also worked and focussed on initiatives that emphasise learning on maternal, natal and children’s healthcare.
Innovative services and scaling up: Government officials frequently recognize and stress that one of the main advantages of collaborating with NGOs is their capacity to introduce innovations while delivering services. State government representatives frequently don’t have the time, interest, or motivation to try innovative approaches. Later, these innovative models subsequently be expanded or duplicated by the government in response to the programs’ success.
Capacity building and awareness: While setting up community healthcare, NGOs play an important role in training locals in delivering healthcare facilities. This helps in bringing in employment, educating and raising awareness on health issues and empowering a community through their own people.
Reaching remote areas: The most amount of challenges in terms of receiving equitable healthcare is by people from remote areas, who struggle to even access primary healthcare. Through several facilities such as mobile tents, mobile units, telemedicine and bringing together community healthcare workers and volunteers, not-for-profits help in ensuring that quality healthcare services reach the doorsteps of a large population, living in remote areas. Through such services, they are also continuously contributing to raising awareness around health issues.
Smile Foundation’s efforts
Smile Foundation, through its Health Cannot Wait initiative has been instrumental in improving healthcare access for underserved communities through mobile health vans, health camps, and community programmes, reaching grassroots levels. By enhancing accessibility, promoting preventive care, and adapting to community needs, Smile Foundation significantly boosts healthcare outcomes in India. Collaboration among government, private sector and nonprofits is essential for a resilient healthcare system, highlighting nonprofits’ foundational role in building a healthier, more equitable future.
