New Delhi: How geared is the healthcare system in India? Ipsos Healthcare Monitor 2020 provides the report card on some of the key aspects of the healthcare system in the country and some of the key findings show, at least 73% urban Indians believe good healthcare is not easy on the pocket of most Indians, rendering it unaffordable. Though only 4 in 10 Indians (41%) believe the healthcare system is equitable – provides the same standard of care to everyone. Further, 1 in 2 urban Indians (51%) believe the healthcare system is overstretched.
3 in 4 Indians believe vaccinating against serious diseases should be made compulsory
Getting appointment not an issue, waiting time is
The survey shows, at least 6 in 10 Indians (63%) find it easy to get an appointment with the doctor in the local area. Though 1 in 2 urban Indians (55%) believe waiting time to get an appointment with doctors is too long in India.
At least 1 in 2 urban Indians (54%) trust the healthcare system to provide them with the best treatment.
Interestingly, 56% Indians believe that information on how to look after one’s health is easily accessible.
“Cost of treatment continues to be the biggest concern for most Indians. Providing access to affordable healthcare facilities needs to be prioritized. At the same time there is strong advocacy for compulsory vaccination for serious ailments,” says Amit Adarkar, CEO, Ipsos India.
Top Health concerns of Indians in 2020?
For 81% urban Indians, COVID19 emerged as the biggest health concern of 2020, followed by mental health (27%); cancer (20%); stress (19%) and obesity (9%).
“Not surprisingly, the pandemic is the overarching context. COVID 19 has relegated some of the major health ailments that maybe affecting many and have prolonged treatments, to the background. A large part of mental health and stress mentions could also be related to COVID,” says Monica Gangwani, Country Service Line Leader, Ipsos Healthcare, India.
Key Healthcare Challenges of 2020
The survey shows that some of the key global challenges cited are not very pronounced in India in terms of the magnitude of the issue.
Almost half of Indians polled (45%) are only concerned about the cost of accessing treatment; 2 in 10 (21%) worry about waiting times; 2 in 10 (19%) feel the staff may not be adequate; and 16% worry about bureaucracy.
