The Path towards a Unified Health System in India: From Fragmentation to Integration: A Narrative Review

India’s healthcare system is a complex structure divided into public and private sectors. The public sector, funded and managed by the government, aims to offer accessible and affordable healthcare to the citizens. It includes a network of primary health centres, district hospitals, and specialised...

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Main Authors: Shubham Bobade, Sheetal Asutkar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
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Online Access:https://www.jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20271/74200_CE[Ra1]_QC(RD)_F(SS)_PF1(AG_IS)_PFA(KM)_PB(AG_IS)_PN(IS).pdf
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author Shubham Bobade
Sheetal Asutkar
author_facet Shubham Bobade
Sheetal Asutkar
author_sort Shubham Bobade
collection DOAJ
description India’s healthcare system is a complex structure divided into public and private sectors. The public sector, funded and managed by the government, aims to offer accessible and affordable healthcare to the citizens. It includes a network of primary health centres, district hospitals, and specialised medical institutions like the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). In contrast, the private sector, comprising of the small clinics and large hospitals offering a wide range of services often at a higher cost. This dual structure reflects the challenges of ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare across the country, highlighting the need for integrated strategies to bridge the gap between these sectors. This review discusses a patient-centric model, rather than a pathy-centric one, which can offer a more effective healthcare solution. Patient-centric models offer various health services at a single point of contact, allowing patients to benefit from the strengths of different systems of medicine in one place. Achieving this model requires a multilevel approach, with systems of medicine functioning alongside each other as complementary services. Key areas for integration include clinical practice, medical education, and research, all aimed at fostering a patient-centric approach. The benefits of such an integrated system include holistic health approaches, improved accessibility, and enhanced research opportunities. However, significant hurdles must be addressed, including cultural biases, regulatory fragmentation, and the need for evidence-based practices. Strategies for overcoming these challenges include the development of supportive national health policies, educational reforms, and community engagement initiatives. This review article explores the concept of “One Nation, One Health System”, which proposes the integration of traditional and modern health practices into a unified framework to enhance healthcare delivery.
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spelling doaj-art-be28e11b72e847329b8b5bcbc567a2812024-12-05T10:44:32ZengJCDR Research and Publications Private LimitedJournal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research2249-782X0973-709X2024-12-011812010510.7860/JCDR/2024/74200.20271The Path towards a Unified Health System in India: From Fragmentation to Integration: A Narrative ReviewShubham Bobade0 Sheetal Asutkar1Junior Resident, Department of Shalyatantra, Mahatma Gandhi Ayurved College Hospital and Research Centre, Salod (H), Wardha, Maharashtra, India.Professor and Head, Department of Shalyatantra, Mahatma Gandhi Ayurved College Hospital and Research Centre, Salod (H), Wardha, Maharashtra, India.India’s healthcare system is a complex structure divided into public and private sectors. The public sector, funded and managed by the government, aims to offer accessible and affordable healthcare to the citizens. It includes a network of primary health centres, district hospitals, and specialised medical institutions like the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). In contrast, the private sector, comprising of the small clinics and large hospitals offering a wide range of services often at a higher cost. This dual structure reflects the challenges of ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare across the country, highlighting the need for integrated strategies to bridge the gap between these sectors. This review discusses a patient-centric model, rather than a pathy-centric one, which can offer a more effective healthcare solution. Patient-centric models offer various health services at a single point of contact, allowing patients to benefit from the strengths of different systems of medicine in one place. Achieving this model requires a multilevel approach, with systems of medicine functioning alongside each other as complementary services. Key areas for integration include clinical practice, medical education, and research, all aimed at fostering a patient-centric approach. The benefits of such an integrated system include holistic health approaches, improved accessibility, and enhanced research opportunities. However, significant hurdles must be addressed, including cultural biases, regulatory fragmentation, and the need for evidence-based practices. Strategies for overcoming these challenges include the development of supportive national health policies, educational reforms, and community engagement initiatives. This review article explores the concept of “One Nation, One Health System”, which proposes the integration of traditional and modern health practices into a unified framework to enhance healthcare delivery.https://www.jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20271/74200_CE[Ra1]_QC(RD)_F(SS)_PF1(AG_IS)_PFA(KM)_PB(AG_IS)_PN(IS).pdfayurvedaeducationhealthcarehistoryintegrative medicine
spellingShingle Shubham Bobade
Sheetal Asutkar
The Path towards a Unified Health System in India: From Fragmentation to Integration: A Narrative Review
Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
ayurveda
education
healthcare
history
integrative medicine
title The Path towards a Unified Health System in India: From Fragmentation to Integration: A Narrative Review
title_full The Path towards a Unified Health System in India: From Fragmentation to Integration: A Narrative Review
title_fullStr The Path towards a Unified Health System in India: From Fragmentation to Integration: A Narrative Review
title_full_unstemmed The Path towards a Unified Health System in India: From Fragmentation to Integration: A Narrative Review
title_short The Path towards a Unified Health System in India: From Fragmentation to Integration: A Narrative Review
title_sort path towards a unified health system in india from fragmentation to integration a narrative review
topic ayurveda
education
healthcare
history
integrative medicine
url https://www.jcdr.net/articles/PDF/20271/74200_CE[Ra1]_QC(RD)_F(SS)_PF1(AG_IS)_PFA(KM)_PB(AG_IS)_PN(IS).pdf
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