‘HEALTHCARE: Stark disparities in urban, rural areas of India’

 

 

 

Originally hailing from Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Dr Anant Pandhare recently took charge as the President of AIIMS Nagpur’s institutional body, and shared his insights with ‘The Hitavada’ on the evolving public perception regarding Government healthcare facilities and his vision for AIIMS Nagpur’s growth. Discussing the current state of healthcare in India, Dr Pandhare acknowledged that while there has been progress, significant disparities remain between urban and rural areas. “Access to healthcare is easier in cities, but affordability and ethical practices remain concerns. In contrast, healthcare in rural areas is less expensive and less commercial, but the lack of facilities and professionals limits its effectiveness,” he said. Despite the challenges, Dr Pandhare mentioned that certain policy decisions by the Central Government over the past decade have positively impacted the healthcare system, and highlighted the Ayushman Bharat PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) as a game-changing initiative at national level, and Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY) in Maharashtra.

 

He mentioned that the Central Government has decided to set up 22 AIIMS across India, and underlined the strategic importance of AIIMS Nagpur in strengthening healthcare services for Central India and credited its development to strong political leadership and vision. “Thanks to the double-engine leadership in the city, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis both have shown tremendous passion for developing institutions in Vidarbha. Had Nagpur AIIMS been elsewhere, it might not have developed at this pace, because such institutions need visionary leadership to push things forward,” he asserted. Dr Pandhare identified manpower expansion as the key factor to elevate AIIMS Nagpur to the next level.

 

“My first task will be to ensure the increase of manpower and add more beds. The Central Government is actively looking into this, and discussions have been going on for the past few months,” he remarked and expressed his ambition to make AIIMS Nagpur comparable to AIIMS Delhi not just in healthcare but also in research and teaching. “AIIMS Nagpur is already on a promising path, and it should be regarded as one of the top AIIMS in the country, in all aspects,” he stressed. Regarding the general public perception towards Government healthcare services, he said, “Perception changes with experience. Over the past six years, people are beginning to recognise that the Government is serious about healthcare. More doctors are now willing to work with the Government and society is becoming hopeful.” Dr Pandhare concluded by saying that the perception will continue to change with Government’s attitude and investments, and also with the sense of belongingness among medical service providers.