It is a matter of astonishment and worry that in a state like Haryana which has 22 districts and covers the area of about 44,212 km² no new Govt. Hospitals have been built since October 2014. The population of Haryana in 2017 was about 27.96 Million and it is estimated that the population in 2018 will be increased by approximate 0.372 Million people.

A resident of Gurgaon, Harinder Dhingra requested the information from the SPIO cum Supdt. (Plg.) for Director General Health Services of Haryana regarding:

1. The total number of Gov. hospitals as on date in the state of Haryana
2. The year wise data since October 2014 till date regarding the total number of new hospitals built by Haryana Government.
3. The year wise data since October 2014 till date regarding the total number of gov. hospitals closed/shut down by Haryana gov.
4. The district wise data of new hospitals built by Haryana gov.since October 2014.
5. The year wise data since October 2014 till date regarding the total amount of funds spent on the building new hospitals by Haryana gov.

Harinder Dhingra got reply from the concerned authorities where point wise information was provided by SPIO, mentioned below:

1. Total 61 Gov. functional hospitals are there
2. & 4. No new Gov. hospitals has been built since oct 2014 hence district wise data of new hospitals stands nil.
3. No Govt. Hospital has been shut/closed
4. Doesn’t relate to planning branch.

Despite of the fact that Haryana is seen as one of the wealthiest states of the nation due to significant part of the cultivation, vehicles and distinctive businesses which are arranged in it but still the basic requirements related to health and welfare is not being fulfilled. According to Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, 14% of the population of Haryana is below poverty line which means this part of the population cannot access the private hospitals due to heavy costs. Mere 61 Govt. Hospitals are not enough for such a huge population.

While Union Government in last budget unveils plan for World largest healthcare scheme ‘Modi Care’ to insure citizen for health insurance.

The scheme seeks to cover the poorest of Indians – some 29% of Indians live below the poverty line – and the lower middle class, the two most vulnerable groups. They hold irregular jobs or are jobless, have few assets and are saddled with high-interest informal debt as well as having to pay for their own healthcare.

“This will be the world’s largest government-funded healthcare programme,” Mr Jaitley told parliament in his speech. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley also allocated billions of dollars for health, education, social security and rural infrastructure.

He said the flagship health insurance scheme would cover more than 100 million poor families and provide 500,000 rupees ($7,825;£5,520) in medical coverage for each family annually.

The Supreme Court has held healthcare to be a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution. However, historical public spending of just over a percent of GDP on healthcare has ensured that the country’s healthcare need has remained underserved and left for the private sector to service. The fundamental aspect of healthcare — primary healthcare — is in shambles. There is only one primary healthcare centre (often manned by one doctor) for more than 51,000 people in the country.

India has an abysmal record in public health. It presently spends a little over 1% of GDP on public healthcare, one of the lowest levels in the world.Poor health and steep costs alone are responsible for pushing 3-5% of the population below the poverty line. Rural households source more than a quarter of their health expenses by borrowing or selling assets.

Latest Comptroller and Auditor General report shows inconsistencies in distribution of medicines, lack of equipments, shortage of doctors and inaccessibility to healthcare centres. There is a 24-38% shortfall in the availability of medical personnel at primary health centres, sub centres, and community health centres across India, according to the latest audit. The survey also found that 77 -87 percent community health centers were functioning without specialist doctors.

India’s disease burden – borne mainly by the poor – is higher than in many emerging economies. Quality state-run hospitals are few and far between, primary care facilities are poor and private clinics are prohibitively expensive.

Nine of India’s poorest states–home to 581 million or 48% of India’s population–account for 70% of the country’s infant deaths, 75% of under-five deaths and 62% of maternal deaths, but do not spend even the money they have set aside for healthcare, according to an IndiaSpend analysis of 2017 Reserve Bank of India data on state budgets.

Such infrastructure shortages exacerbate inadequate spending and deliver low heath achievements. Increased primary healthcare spending reduces child and infant mortality rates, according to this 1999 research paper by the International Monetary Fund.

Issues in regard to public and private health infrastructure are different and both of them need attention but in different ways. Rural public infrastructure must remain in mainstay for wider access to health care for all without imposing undue burden on them. Side by side the existing set of public hospitals at district and sub-district levels must be supported by good management and with adequate funding and user fees and out contracting services, all as part of a functioning referral net work.

Government should plan and execute those plans to built some new govt. hospitals in the state with new techniques and methods using funds allotted to them. Our nation cannot compromise with the health of its citizens as citizens are responsible for nation’s growth and development. health is the basic need in one’s life and even covered by our constitution as well. this indicates that even our constitution makers also felt the importance of health and welfare and should be realized by today’s people too. building hospitals for the people is as important as providing them shelters.