Implementation of equity and access in Indian healthcare: current scenario and way forward

INTRODUCTION: The Indian healthcare system is evolving towards better healthcare implementation and coverage. However, even today, the health-care system faces several challenges, a few of which are yet to be addressed. The present review is aimed to delineate the past and present healthcare scenarios in India, health-care policies, and other initiatives for achieving universal health coverage (UHC). METHODS: A literature search was done on various government databases, websites, and PubMed for obtaining data and statistics on healthcare funding, health insurance schemes, healthcare budget allocations, categories of medical expenses, government policies, and health technology assessment (HTA) in India. RESULTS: The available data indicates 37.2% of the total population is covered by any health insurance of which 78% are covered by public insurance companies. Around 30% of the total health expenditure is borne by the public sector, and there is high out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure on healthcare. DISCUSSION: Several new health policies and schemes, an increase in 2021 budget for healthcare by 137%, vaccination drives, augmenting manufacturing of medical devices, special training packages, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML)-based standard treatment workflow systems to ensure proper treatment and clinical decision-making have been initiated by the government for improving healthcare funding, equity, and access.