Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors
Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
The role of NGOs, SHGs and various groups
COVID-19: Role of Private Sector
Context: COVID-19, has spiralled into a global pandemic in less than 90 days, bringing most of the world to a near standstill.
Do You Know?
In India, private hospitals, clinics and nursing homes provide over 70% of healthcare.
Over half of all treatments under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) are availed from private providers, accounting for over 60% of total disbursements.
What has been the strategy to tackle COVID-19 till now?
It has been a whole-of-government approach with little role played by private sector
Much of COVID-19 testing and treatment is being done in public facilities
However, as the pandemic progresses we might need a whole-of-society response
A case for whole-of-society approach
Huge Country: Government needs to enlist the support of private players to manage the crisis situation in a vast & diverse country like India
Effective: According to the WHO, a critical lesson from the 2014-16 West African Ebola epidemic was that both the public and private sector need to work in tandem in responding to large-scale epidemics.
Creating a large and accessible testing infrastructure as the epidemic spreads means more private sector participation
Testing has been included under the AB PM-JAY.
India has opened testing up to private labs but need to substantially expand on this.
Private sector needed to ramp up production of essential medical products — from testing kits, masks and other PPEs to oxygen and ventilators – as epidemic spreads
Augment Public Healthcare Capacity: Private hospitals needs to be converted into COVID-19-only hospitals as government hospitals in India are limited
Treatment of non-COVID-19 patients: Private sector can pitch in especially when government hospitals are focused heavily on tackling COVID-19
Support for community activities such as night shelters and community kitchens should be strengthened through private sector participation
Filling of the knowledge gaps- Government, private and not-for-profit research institutions need to collaborate to understand the nature of virus and develop necessary cure/vaccines
Way Ahead
Empanelling additional health facilities under PM-JAY to provide emergency care and treatment for other serious illnesses to all citizens, particularly the poor and vulnerable
Direct support from banks to private sector to keep production and supply chains running
