National Health Policy — Definition
Definition
The National Health Policy (NHP) 2017 is a comprehensive framework formulated by the Government of India to guide the nation's health sector towards achieving universal health coverage and improving health outcomes for all citizens.
At its core, the NHP 2017 articulates a vision for 'the attainment of the highest possible level of health and well-being for all at all ages, through a preventive and promotive healthcare orientation in all developmental policies, and universal access to good quality healthcare services without anyone facing financial hardship as a consequence.
' This policy document serves as a strategic roadmap, outlining the government's priorities, objectives, and proposed interventions across various dimensions of healthcare delivery, financing, human resources, and governance.
It represents a significant shift from previous policies by emphasizing a 'health in all policies' approach, recognizing that health outcomes are influenced by a multitude of factors beyond the direct healthcare system, including sanitation, nutrition, education, and environmental determinants.
The NHP 2017 aims to address critical gaps in India's healthcare landscape, such as inadequate public health expenditure, shortage of skilled healthcare professionals, uneven distribution of healthcare facilities, and the high burden of out-of-pocket expenditure (OOP) on households.
It seeks to strengthen primary healthcare as the bedrock of the health system, expanding its scope to include comprehensive primary health care (CPHC) services, which encompass not just curative care but also preventive, promotive, rehabilitative, and palliative care.
A key financial commitment of the policy is to progressively increase public health expenditure to 2.5% of the GDP by 2025, a substantial jump from the prevailing levels. This increased investment is crucial for building robust public health infrastructure, ensuring equitable access, and reducing the financial burden on individuals.
Furthermore, the policy advocates for strategic purchasing of secondary and tertiary care services from both public and private providers, while maintaining a strong regulatory framework. It also champions the integration of digital health technologies, such as the National Health Stack and telemedicine, to improve efficiency, accessibility, and quality of care.
The NHP 2017 also recognizes the importance of traditional Indian systems of medicine (AYUSH) and seeks to mainstream them into the national health system. From a governance perspective, it underscores the need for stronger center-state coordination, community participation, and a robust public health management cadre.
Ultimately, the NHP 2017 is designed to move India closer to its goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and align with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 targets, ensuring that health is not a privilege but a fundamental right accessible to every Indian citizen.