Thongsuanmung Vualnam’s Post

Special Article by Jean Dreze, Reetika Khera, and Rishabh Malhotra | The findings of a recent survey of public health centres in five north Indian states (Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand and Rajasthan) are presented, in light of earlier surveys in the same areas from 2002 onwards. Contrary to a common narrative whereby public health services in India have “collapsed,” there is a general pattern of improving quality and utilisation over time. The pace of improvement, however, is far from adequate. The recent conversion of many health centres into health and wellness centres, in particular, has been largely cosmetic so far. In states like Bihar and Jharkhand, the standards of healthcare in public facilities remain abysmal. Hope lies in the experiences of states that have shown how decent standards of healthcare can be achieved in the public sector, notably Himachal Pradesh. Even in Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, there have been valuable initiatives in recent years. https://lnkd.in/guzFGKx3

Our research study on how heat stress impacts human health has been highlighted in today’s Assam Tribune daily. #Research #AssamTribune #HeatStress #HumanHealth #AIIMSGuwahati #NorthEastIndia #OccupationalHealth #ScienceNews #Innovation #ResearchImpact #ScientificCommunity #TeamWork

Kerala's elderly population is increasing every year. The state is already called the 'Grey State of India'. While Kerala has one of the most robust healthcare systems in the country, public health remains a challenge with reports of high morbidity and prevalence of lifestyle diseases. In our latest article at Nayadrishti, which has been co-authored by Anand S Unni & our intern Kajol Zakir, we explore some of the important gaps in elderly care in Kerala. We also suggest some policy strategies that can be adopted to address these gaps. The link to the article on substack has been shared in the comments section. Please share your thoughts on this subject. Sonal Kuruvilla | Abdul Samad P C | Biyas Muhammed | Javed Hussain | Gowthamkumar R G #Nayadrishti #Kerala #ElderlyCare #India #ThinkDoTank #PublicPolicy #PublicHealth #NPoC #Nayaneethi #Substack

India’s out-of-pocket health expenditure (OOPE) reduced significantly, from 64.2% in 2013-14 to 39.4% in 2021-22. 📌Despite this progress, OOPE still accounts for about 50% of total health expenditure as of 2024, much higher than the global average of 18.1%. Approximately 3% to 7% of Indian households fall into poverty every year due to high medical costs. Over 17% of households experience catastrophic health expenditures annually, highlighting ongoing financial challenges. 📌Where Are the Hotspots? 👎 States with the highest OOPE: 🔹Uttar Pradesh: 71.3% 🔹West Bengal: 68.7% 🔹Kerala: 68.6% 🔹Jharkhand: 63.9% 👍 States with the lowest OOPE: 🔹Karnataka: 25.4% 🔹Jammu and Kashmir: 25.9% 🔹Uttarakhand: 26.9% 📌What’s the Government Doing About It? Government health expenditure increased from 29% in 2014-15 to 48% in 2021-22. Per capita government health spending tripled from ₹1,108 in 2014-15 to ₹3,169 in 2021-22. Ayushman Bharat PMJAY launched in 2018, providing free healthcare for millions of low-income households. 📌How Does India Stack Up Globally? While India’s OOPE stands at 39.4%, countries like Bangladesh (65%) and Myanmar (82%) face higher rates. Developed nations like the Netherlands, France, and the UK show significantly lower rates of 6%, 7%, and 10%, respectively. 📌Looking Ahead: Can We Bring Down the Costs? The Indian government aims to bring OOPE down to 35% of total health expenditure by 2025-26. Despite improvements, more investment in public health is essential to lessen the financial strain on households. 🔎Is it time for India to accelerate its health reforms? What more can be done to reduce OOPE further? #HealthcareReform #OutOfPocketExpenditure #AyushmanBharat #HealthForAll #PublicHealth #IndiaHealthcare #HealthEquity #HealthCoverage #FinancialInclusion #LinkedInPulse

🌟 Reflections on Community-Led Health Models: Empowering a Healthier India  In 2012, a call from the Bohra community in Indore sparked a transformative journey. Initial diagnostics revealed a startling reality: 60% faced elevated cholesterol, alongside concerning SGPT and glucose levels. But what unfolded next was a remarkable story of resilience, collaboration, and lifestyle reform.  Guided by a shared vision, the Bohra community redefined their collective health—starting with their meals. A decade later, their dedication paid off:   ✅ Cholesterol levels dropped to 13.8%.   ✅ Significant improvements in blood sugar, SGPT, and creatinine.    This was a testament to the power of united communities in rewriting their health narrative.  Inspired by this, I partnered with local leaders to scale the impact. This led to the Health of Indore Survey, a groundbreaking effort screening 400,000 citizens within a three years. The findings were profound:   - 52% exhibited abnormal health parameters, underscoring the silent epidemic of lifestyle diseases.  - Trends revealed health variations across communities—Jains (51% abnormal health) to Gujaratis (32%).  Building on these insights, the Healthy of Nation was born, envisioning a nationwide movement for early diagnostics and preventive care. This effort empowers youth across India to embrace health as a foundation for a resilient nation.  🚀 The way forward is clear:    - Early action is key: Health insights must lead to sustainable lifestyle changes.  - Communities hold power: Collective action can create lasting impact.  - Data-driven diagnostics are vital for scalable, affordable health solutions.  Together, let’s make early diagnostics and lifestyle awareness the cornerstone of a stronger India. True patriotism lies in building a healthier nation—one community at a time.  #healthynation #preventivehealthcare #communityhealth #resilientindia

Two in three children under the age of five in India were anaemic as of 2021, as well as over half of women aged 15-49 years, according to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 5th round. Not only are India's anaemia numbers high, but NFHS data also suggests that the prevalence of anaemia in India rose between 2015-16 and 2019-21, the two most recent rounds of the survey. The prevalence is not restricted to poor states alone; Gujarat has the highest incidence of anaemia in children, and West Bengal has the highest among women. India's high rates of anaemia are something of a puzzle in global health as during same period indicators like share of children and adults who are stunted, or the share of children and adults who receive adequate nutrition have shown improvement. The answer may partly lie in how India collects data about anaemia. Data on anaemia in India and many developing countries is collected using the capillary method, compared to the more sophisticated venous method. According to one recent systematic review, the capillary method that India uses produces higher and less reliable estimates. The Indian government has already begun experimenting with a new survey using the venous method. Read Rukmini S‘ piece to find out more: https://lnkd.in/gSdagkMb #Children #Anaemia #Health #India #DataForIndia

🌾 Rural Health Challenges: Bridging the Gap for a Healthier Bharat 🌟  Ever wondered what it's like to face a health crisis where the nearest doctor is miles away? 🚶♀ Or when the simplest test feels like a luxury? That’s the reality for many in rural India.  🩺 The gaps are real:   🚑 Limited access to facilities, trained medical personnel & medicines.  ❓ Lack of awareness about basic health practices.    🚿 Shortage of hygiene infrastructure.  💸 Lack of affordable healthcare options.    ⚙ And the big one: No low-cost, reliable, connected diagnostic devices.  But here’s the thing—these gaps don’t just affect villages; they impact the health of the entire nation. 🛡  Through the Health of Nation initiative, I dream of bringing affordable diagnostics to the doorsteps of India’s youth. Because a healthier Bharat starts with informed and empowered individuals. 💡  Imagine this: simple, cost-effective health solutions that don’t break the bank or require a 5-hour commute. 🕒 My goal? To make early diagnosis and lifestyle awareness the norm, not the exception.  Let’s join hands to ensure that every young Indian, from bustling cities to remote villages, has the tools to be ready for the future of India. 💪  💭 What’s your take? How can we collectively close these gaps and empower rural India with health solutions that matter? Let’s talk in the comments! 👇  #healthofnation #preventivehealthcare #healthybharat #ruralhealth #diagnosticsforall

#TQHReplug Today, on International Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, we revisit 'The Political Journey of Healthcare in Select Indian States', a study where The Quantum Hub supported Centre for Social and Economic Progress, and Reimagining India’s Health System: A Lancet Citizens’ Commission . This report examines the socio-political factors shaping attention to health in five states: Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand. While fiscal health, governance, and institutional capacity influence outcomes, political leadership remains a key driver. Linking political legitimacy to healthcare, even without ideological backing, encourages reforms. Strong state capacity fosters confidence in implementing reforms, and both the Central government and civil society play critical roles in shaping state health agendas. Despite progress, disparities in indicators like neonatal mortality and antenatal care persist. On UHC Day, as we reflect on the theme of "Equity in Action," strengthening leadership and governance at the state level is essential to advancing equity, improving health outcomes, and protecting citizens from the financial hardships associated with healthcare costs. Sandhya Venkateswaran Mayank Mishra Nikhil Iyer #HealthForAll #UHCDay #UniversalHealthCoverage

New Research Unveils Health Crisis Among Odisha's Most Vulnerable Tribes in India A comprehensive study on Odisha's Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) reveals a complex health landscape that demands our immediate attention. This research uncovers a paradoxical coexistence of traditional health challenges and modern lifestyle diseases, highlighting the urgent need for tailored interventions. Key findings show alarmingly high rates of malnutrition alongside emerging cases of diabetes and hypertension. The prevalence of infectious diseases remains significant, while genetic disorders like sickle cell anemia pose unique challenges. Perhaps most concerning is the high rate of substance abuse and emerging mental health issues among these communities. This study not only sheds light on the multifaceted health challenges faced by PVTGs but also emphasizes the critical importance of culturally sensitive, holistic healthcare approaches. We must advocate for policies that address both the immediate health needs and the underlying socio-economic factors affecting these vulnerable populations. The question now is: How can we leverage this knowledge to create sustainable, community-driven health solutions that respect traditional practices while embracing modern healthcare advancements? Dive deeper into the research details below 👇 #IndigenousHealth #PublicHealthPolicy #SocialImpact #TribalHealth #PVTGs #IndigenousHealth #PublicHealthResearch #OdishaTribes #HealthDisparities #RuralHealthcare #NutritionChallenges #CommunicableDiseases #NCDs #MentalHealthAwareness #CulturalSensitivity #HealthEquity #SocialDeterminantsOfHealth #GlobalHealth

Understanding how to engage communities in their own health and well-being is critical to bringing greater demand for health services and better health outcomes. In this policy brief brought out through the partnership between Basic HealthCare Services and the Centre for Healthcare, Indian Institute of Management Udaipur, we consider engaging urban communities. #primaryhealthcare #communityhealth #iim #policy Vedha Ponnappan Dr. Ramakrishna Prasad