Shortage of Healthcare Providers in India

In recent past years, the utility and demand of healthcare have been highlighted in India and the universe. Healthcare is a crucial topic of discussion where healthcare providers play a major role. So, a widely observed reason behind the shortage is that fresher doctor graduates choose to complete their postgraduate degrees instead of working. PG offers specialisation and increases opportunity, respect and salary in the field. Another reason for the shortage is healthcare providers’ issues like gender inequality, workload burnout, low salaries, etc. Effective management in the healthcare sector will help India overcome the shortage. 

Why is India facing a shortage in the healthcare sector?

In India, the employment rate in the healthcare sector is high but still faces a shortage in providing treatment to the public. Let’s understand a little about it. Indian healthcare is divided into primary, secondary and tertiary services by Indian health public standards. The division is made to offer equal healthcare treatment to rural and urban populations. Here are the factors which affect healthcare in India:-

• Insufficient manpower

The ratio of doctors in India is quite low; doctor to patient service is 0.7 on 1000 patients. The young generation is moving to different carrier options due to various issues in the healthcare sector. Trained professional doctors and nurses are required to fast up the treatment process.

• Shortage of infrastructure

Infrastructure is lacking in the form of educational institutions and treatment centres. The private hospitals are well equipped, but a wide population can’t afford them. Training centres, learning institutes, and well-equipped hospitals are lacking, weakening the healthcare sector.

• Non-uniform patient load

As the ratio above says, 0.7% of doctors on 1000 patients make it difficult to provide the right treatment. Overload of patients’ leads to stress build-up in doctors. The unmanaged work structure makes doctors move to the private sector. The government healthcare sector experiences more shortages, and patients keep suffering. Treating right at the right time is a challenge for providers.

• Expensive healthcare

Private healthcare institutions are well-equipped, fully trained staff and maintained, which offer correct treatment on time, but they are excessively expensive. The major population can’t afford to pay high-end bills, so they are left untreated. Even public centres are located in urban areas, which leaves no alternative for the poor. Several people borrow money with high interest and experience a hole in their pocket. 

• Inactive healthcare policies

The government introduced the HEALTH FOR ALL policy in 2017, which was not that effective due to a lack of calculation and management.

What are the issues faced by healthcare providers?

Other than the above issues, our healthcare providers face issues like:-

• Low salary

• Less job security

• Gender inequality

• Poor management

• Long working hours

• Less tech-savvy

There are many more issues faced by the healthcare providers which are not even recognised, like jobs are unpredictable due to more options, working for women is tougher than men, hygiene issues, health insurance, long working hours which leads to stress build-up, no balance in personal & professional life. Government must resolve healthcare issues with corrective measures, and opportunities must rise to attract newcomers to the healthcare sector.

What are the corrective measures to overcome the shortage?

The Healthcare sector is a huge source of revenue and employment generation. By 2030, the annual growth will be 16.5% and 3.3 million more employment. These numbers will come true only by adopting corrective measures. Here are the measures:-

• The improved infrastructure of government hospitals and training centres supports better manpower for health treatment.

• Transparency in offering treatment and services, mainly in the drugs and medicine sector. Elimination of corruption in selling and purchasing

• Incentive or bonus for healthcare providers for motivation and boost in the workspace.

• Health policy protection to providers offers a sense of security to their families.

• Focus on improving doctor-patient relationships to provide the best treatment and trust in healthcare.

Conclusion

In the above article, we have read about why India faces a shortage of healthcare providers? Issues related to healthcare problems and providers are discussed, along with the corrective measures for the betterment of the sector. These measures will enhance the health treatment and improve the doctor-patient relationship. The government is building and promoting educational institutions, training centres and healthcare facilities which are innovative and fully equipped. Improved salary schemes, bonuses, and health insurance for frontline workers boost confidence, and the workplace environment is becoming positive. These steps are routing towards growth in the healthcare sector in India.