Despite several recent policy initiatives, access to essential diagnostics remains inadequate across many facilities. As a result, patients continue to face out-of-pocket expenses : time delays and inappropriate care due to limited diagnostic availability in public facilities. In this conversation, we examine the barriers and the lessons learnt from existing models including the PPPs and explore strategies for improvement.
2025
Increasing reports of poor quality of medicines manufactured in India, whether as exports or for domestic consumption, are a matter of great concern. But this crisis should not become an excuse for strengthening corporate monopoly and excessive centralization. In this conversation, we discuss the why and how of designing a regulatory regime in India, that can guarantee quality medicines without any compromise to affordability or public health, not only for India, but for the entire third world.
Private practice by government doctors is wide-spread, but far from universal. Further, even in places where it is allowed, the consequences due to the inevitable conflict of interests varies widely. Ongoing efforts towards mitigation also create differential impact. In this conversation we examine the justifications advanced and the principles that could guide public policy in this regard. We further discuss the various scenarios, and what we can learn from these different scenarios to chart our way forward.