Building a faster, fairer future for Indian healthcare systems

Every year on December 12, the world observes Universal Health Coverage Day 2025, a date that serves as a global reminder that health is a human right, not a privilege. The theme for this year, "Unaffordable Health Costs? We’re Sick of It!", strikes a chord with millions. It highlights a harsh reality: over 50% of the global population still struggles to access basic medical services, and everyday citizens are often forced to choose between paying for life-saving medicine or paying for food and housing.

For India, this day represents a critical checkpoint. It is a moment to evaluate how far we have come in nation-building through health equity and to map out the aggressive reforms needed to ensure no citizen falls into poverty due to medical bills.

Transforming the Landscape: From Policy to Practice

Since 2018, India has witnessed a paradigm shift in how healthcare is delivered. The introduction of Ayushman Bharat has moved the focus from reactive sick care to proactive wellness.

• Grassroots Care: The establishment of over 1.4 lakh Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) has brought essential services—ranging from maternal care to mental health screenings—right to the doorstep of rural communities.
• Financial Shield: Through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), nearly 56 crore citizens now have an annual safety net of ₹5 lakh, protecting them from the crushing weight of hospitalization costs.

The Digital Leap and Regional Success

The pandemic taught us that resilience relies on technology. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) is currently creating one of the planet's largest interconnected health ecosystems. With digital IDs and tele-consultations, the gap between a specialist in a city and a patient in a remote village is shrinking. This is vital for India's youth, where 65% of the population is under 35 and increasingly relies on digital platforms for mental health and preventive advice.

States are also stepping up with unique models. Kerala’s community participation and Tamil Nadu’s procurement systems set high benchmarks. Closer to home, Odisha has made significant strides by utilizing mobile medical units to reach tribal terrains and implementing the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, which works in tandem with national goals to expand coverage.

Priorities for a Future-Ready India

Despite these successes, public health spending hovers near 1% of GDP, which is insufficient for a nation of our size. To truly achieve the goals of Universal Health Coverage Day 2025, India must aim to increase spending to 3.5–5% of GDP.

Moving forward, the focus must be on six key pillars:

1. Empowering Local Governance: transforming HWCs into fully equipped hubs.
2. Workforce Support: Ensuring fair wages for ASHAs and frontline workers.
3. Regulating Costs: Reducing out-of-pocket expenses for the common man.
4. Climate Resilience: Preparing hospitals for heatwaves and floods.
5. Digital Inclusion: Ensuring rural areas are not left offline.
6. Community Partnership: engaging civil society in decision-making.

The foundation has been laid. Now, the government, private sector, and citizens must sprint toward a future where quality healthcare is a guaranteed reality for every Indian, without exception.

By Professor (Dr.) Manoj Kar, XIM University, Bhubaneswar