India has had notable health achievements since independence in 1947. Life expectancy has doubled and infant mortality and crude death rates have been greatly reduced.1 Some diseases, such as small pox and guinea worm, have been eradicated. Others, such as leprosy and polio, have been nearly eliminated.2 And India’s doctors and hospitals are increasingly receiving recognition for the quality of care they provide. Nevertheless, India faces considerable challenges. For example, the country accounts for a relatively large share of the world’s disease burden.3 And while India’s burgeoning middle class has greater access to excellent healthcare, the vast majority of citizens still have limited access to basic care. The quality of care varies significantly, as well. An examination of healthcare systems in other countries underscores the importance of achieving a value-based, affordable, sustainable healthcare system in India. In a recent study by the IBM Institute for Business Value, we demonstrated that unrelenting pressures are pushing many healthcare systems along an unsustainable path.4 If left unaddressed, many countries will reach a breakpoint in their current paths, forcing immediate and major forced restructuring. What does this mean for India? To read the full report, download the PDF file at the top of this page. References
1 Ministry of Finance, Government of India. “Union budget 2007-2008.” 2007; Central Intelligence Agency. “The World Factbook.”; National Commission on Macroeconomics and Health. “Burden of disease in India.” September 2005.
2 National Commission on Macroeconomics and Health. “Burden of disease in India.” September 2005.
3 Ibid.
4 Adams, Jim, Edgar L. Mounib, Aditya Pai, Neil Stuart, Randy Thomas and Paige Tomaszewicz. “Healthcare 2015: Win-win or lose-lose?” IBM Institute for Business Value. October 2006.
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