RURAL
HEALTHCARE
70%
LIMITED ACCESS TO QUALITY
HEALTHCARE
PARAMJEET SINGH
MRIDUL KUMAR
SUMEDH BAUDH
PRABHJOT SINGH
EXISTING PROBLEMS OF INDIA'S
RURAL HEALTHCARE
Limited Access to Healthcare Services
Shortage of Healthcare Professionals
Inadequate Healthcare Infrastructure
Limited Health Awareness
Financial Constraints
PRADHAN MANTRI BHARTIYA
JAN AUSHADHI PARIYOJANA
(PMBJP)
OBJECTIVE:
Aims to provide quality generic medicines at affordable prices.
Establishes Jan Aushadhi Kendras for convenient access to medicines.
Targets the benefit of people in rural areas, addressing affordability concerns.
SUCCESS:
Increased accessibility to essential medicines in rural regions.
Reduction in out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare.
Improved medication adherence among the population.
FINANCIAL LANDSCAPE OF
RURAL HEALTHCARE
Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic further strained rural healthcare systems, leading to
increased costs and decreased revenue. Explore specific impacts like PPE shortages,
staffing challenges, and treatment costs for rural areas.
Alternative revenue models: Discuss innovative approaches rural healthcare facilities are
adopting to improve financial sustainability, such as telemedicine, community partnerships,
and focus on preventive care.
Policy proposals: Explore different proposed policy solutions to address financial challenges
in rural healthcare, such as changes to Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement rates, expanded
loan programs, and tax incentives for healthcare providers in rural areas.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
LIMITED REACH & AWARENESS
Many government schemes lack proper awareness and outreach, especially in remote
areas, leading to low enrollment and underutilization.
AFFORDABILITY & OUT-OFPOCKET EXPENSES
Out-of-pocket expenses that remain unaffordable for many rural families, especially for
chronic or specialized care moreover hidden costs like transportation, medicines, and
diagnostics may not be covered, adding to the financial burden.
INSUFFICIENT FUNDING AND
RESOURCE ALLOCATION
Unequal distribution of resources between urban and rural areas further exacerbates the
problem, leading to shortages of equipment, medicines, and healthcare personnel.
CORRUPTION AND LEAKAGES
Lack of transparency and accountability make it difficult to track how funds are used
and address leakages.
UNSUSTAINABLE FINANCING
MODELS
Some schemes rely heavily on government subsidies, making them unsustainable in the
long run due to budget constraints and potential economic fluctuations.
PROBLEM OVERVIEW
“OUT-OF-THE POCKET EXPENSES”
HIGH
UNEQUAL
OOPE
BURDEN
IMPACT
ON
ACCESS
MAY
In 2022, 64.6% of India's
total health expenditure
came from individual
pockets, significantly
exceeding the global
average of 19.6%. In rural
areas, this figure often
surpasses 70%, pushing
families into poverty due
to medical costs.
Rural households spend
a disproportionately
larger share of their
income on healthcare
compared to their urban
counterparts. This
exacerbates existing
rural-urban disparities in
health outcomes.
High OOPE discourages
seeking timely medical
attention, leading to
delayed diagnoses,
untreated conditions,
and increased disease
burden. This
perpetuates health
problems and hinders
individuals' ability to
work and contribute to
the economy.
SUGGESTIONS
DATA DRIVEN
DECISION MAKING
Utilize data analytics to assess
the effectiveness of
interventions and guide
resource allocation to address
regional specific needs.
EXPANDING AND
STRENGTHENING
INSURANCE
COVERAGE
Micro-insurance Schemes:
Promote affordable microinsurance options tailored to the
specific needs and income levels
of rural communities.
Public-Private Partnerships:
Encourage collaborations
between public and private
insurance providers to expand
coverage and reach remote
areas.
TELEMEDICINE
(GENERATIVE AI)
AANGANWADI
Anganwadi workers can monitor
child health, nutrition, and
development, detecting issues
early and linking families to
healthcare services.
Act as trusted links between
rural communities and
healthcare providers, facilitating
access to information and
services.
AI Chatbots can deliver personalized health
information and education in local languages,
promoting preventative care and healthy behaviors.
AI can forecast disease outbreaks, optimize patient
scheduling, and manage medical supplies efficiently,
leading to better resource allocation in rural settings.
AN ENTREPRENEUR'S APPROACH TO
REVOLUTIONIZING RURAL HEALTHCARE IN INDIA
Imagine an enterprising young doctor named Dr. Akash, brimming with ideas to
transform rural healthcare. He understands the challenges: the shortage of medical
professionals, the geographical barriers, and the financial constraints of rural
communities. But instead of succumbing to these obstacles, Dr. Akash sees them as
opportunities for innovation.
Here's his foolproof plan:
Community-Driven Health
Insurance
Telemedicine Platform
with a Twist
MAY
Gamified Health Education
Mobile Medical Units
on Tuk-Tuks
CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS
INITIAL INVESTMENT
Secure funding through venture capitalists, impact investors, and government grants
attracted by the social impact and market potential
TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION
Conduct pilot projects and partner with local communities to address digital literacy
concerns and encourage platform adoption.
SCALABILITY
Build a strong team, recruit and train Health Tech Assistants and medical personnel, and
develop a robust training curriculum for future expansion.
SUSTAINABILITY
Build a strong team, recruit and train Health Tech Assistants and medical
personnel, and develop a robust training curriculum for future expansion.
Partner with local businesses for advertising and sponsorships to generate
revenue for platform maintenance and expansion.
Encourage the development of rural health entrepreneurs who can offer
additional services like diagnostic labs or health food stores, creating a thriving
healthcare ecosystem.
NATIONAL RURAL
HEALTH MISSION
(NRHM)
NRHM bridges the healthcare gap for rural
communities, especially vulnerable
groups. Targeting underserved regions, it
empowers communities to own their
healthcare delivery, tackling not just
illness but its root causes: water,
sanitation, education, and more. This
holistic approach ensures quality,
affordable care for all, building a healthier
rural future.
GOALS
QUALITATIVE GOALS (NRHM):
Equity & Access: Bridge healthcare
gap for vulnerable groups in rural
areas.
Community Ownership: Empower
communities to own and manage
healthcare delivery.
Holistic Approach: Address social
determinants (water, sanitation,
education) along with clinical care.
Quality of Care: Continuously
improve quality by adhering to
standards and monitoring outcomes.
Gender Equality: Promote equal
healthcare access and utilization for
women and girls.
QUANTITATIVE GOALS (NRHM):
Micro-insurance Schemes: Promote affordable
micro-insurance options tailored to the specific
needs and income levels of rural
Reduce Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): Drive down
infant mortality with targeted interventions.
Increase Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR): Boost
maternal survival through better care and access.
Expand Healthcare Coverage: Expand insurance
coverage for wider rural reach.
Increase Healthcare Personnel Availability: Bridge
the rural healthcare worker gap, stationing staff
where needed.
Improve Infrastructure & Facilities: Uplift rural
healthcare infrastructure, one facility at a
time.communities.
Public-Private Partnerships: Encourage
collaborations between public and private insurance
providers to expand coverage and reach remote
areas.
REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE: NRHM EMPOWERING
TRIBAL COMMUNITIES IN CHHATTISGARH
Challenge: The remote tribal villages of Bastar district, Chhattisgarh, faced high IMR, MMR, and
malnutrition due to limited access to quality healthcare, poor sanitation, and low awareness.
NRHM intervention:
Empowering ASHAs: Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), primarily women from the villages
themselves, were trained and deployed to raise awareness, provide basic healthcare services, and
connect villagers to health facilities.
Mobile Medical Units (MMUs): MMUs equipped with medical personnel and essential supplies
reached remote villages, offering doorstep basic healthcare and referrals for specialized care.
Nutrition Programs: Anganwadi centers received NRHM support to provide nutritious meals and
educate mothers on child nutrition.
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY): This scheme incentivized institutional deliveries, reducing maternal
mortality in the region.
Impact:
Reduced IMR by 25% and MMR by 30% in Bastar district within five years.
Increased institutional deliveries by 40% due to JSY and improved accessibility.
Improved child nutrition: Child stunting rates reduced by 10% due to Anganwadi interventions.
Empowered women: ASHAs became community leaders, promoting health awareness and selfreliance.
Key takeaway:
This example demonstrates how NRHM's community-based approach, addressing multiple health
determinants, can empower rural communities and achieve measurable improvements in health
outcomes. It highlights the effectiveness of empowering local women as changemakers and the
importance of holistic interventions beyond solely clinical care.
Success stories
1. NRHM has attempted to fill the gaps in human resources by providing nearly 1.7 lakh
people for health services to States including 8,871 Doctors, 2025 Specialists,
76,643 ANMs, 41,609 Staff Nurses, etc. on contractual basis.
2. Many unserved areas have been covered through Mobile Medical Units (MMU). So
far 2024 MMU are operational in 459 districts across the country.
3. The government also provides free ambulance services in every nook and corner of
the country connected with a toll-free number and available within 30 minutes of
the call. Over 12,000 basic and emergency patient transport vehicles have been
provided under NRHM.
Sources
https://nhm.gov.in/WriteReadData/l892s/nrhm-frameworklatest.pdf
https://nhm.gov.in/index1.php
lang=1&level=1&lid=49&sublinkid=969
THANK YOU