A country’s future depends on its healthcare system. It’s not just the robustness of the medical system, it is the affordability that counts. An affordable healthcare system ensures that all citizens, regardless of their financial status, have access to necessary medical services as healthcare costs can be a significant burden for families. When healthcare is affordable, it allows for better management of chronic diseases, timely interventions, and preventive care.
In this context, India’s healthcare system has impressed many.
A recent post made on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has shared an incident where an elderly got medical tests done at an affordable price.
The post shared by Aravind on X highlights how the elderly got more than 72 medical tests done in just 50 dollars, which would have cost him above 10,000 dollars (equivalent to Rs 8.4 lakhs) in the US.
Narrating the incident Aravind writes an elderly family member had certain health issues. “I went online and requested blood work done choosing a reliable and cost effective provider from 4 to 5 options available, on a website my family member recommended I use, to book the tests required,” he writes.
“Some 72+ tests in total including certain Cardiac markers. Costed less than $50 / 4000 INR. Once I added the required tests, I sent them an UPI request and the 80 yr old approved it on their mobile to fix an appointment in minutes. They went to sleep.
By the time they woke up, some 6 hours later, they called me again and told the phlebotomist had already come and taken the samples. And reports will be available by today evening India time except two tests which will take 48 hrs. I was really surprised as they live in a remote corner of a town in India. Not even some metro city,” he describes how fast the blood samples were collected the next day.
“I am left thinking I am seeing India is already living in a future I can only dream about in a foreign land. None of what I have written above is possible in the US, UK, Canada, all of EU, Japan, Singapore, or Australia. I can you tell this from direct knowledge,” writes Aravind.
Read the tweet here:
Healthcare in India is significantly less expensive, with lower costs for treatments, medications, and surgeries. Even private healthcare is more accessible to a broader population compared to the high costs in the U.S., where many people struggle with exorbitant medical bills and insurance premiums. The U.S., has a largely privatized system that often leaves uninsured individuals vulnerable. Another advantage is India’s focus on preventive care through initiatives like the National Health Mission, aiming to improve public health services in rural areas. The U.S. system is more treatment-based, which can be reactive rather than proactive.
In India advanced treatments cost a fraction of what it costs in developed countries
There have been great improvements in India’s health sector in the recent past, providing world-class medical services, availing the most advanced treatments, and a cost-effective way of treatment. With successful world-class hospitals with highly qualified doctors and advanced technology, it has now become a global hub for medical tourism to India. The private health care sector stands out in providing quality care, especially in urban towns. Still, unequal access, infrastructure, and affordability issues remain to be sorted out in rural regions. The gaps are covered by the government in initiatives like Ayushman Bharat, which ensure universal healthcare coverage. It is undeniable that India has achieved most of its health goals, but a great deal is to be achieved in order for all citizens to enjoy equal care.
“In India past 10-12 yrs we have seen such progress in almost all fields, everything is quick, accurate & easy, done with the flick of the finger & touch. My Son who lives in Toronto says just to get an appt for scans, lab tests they sometimes have to wait for months,” writes one user. “I have seen this with my parents in Vadodara. My father had a major surgery in April for an issue which was not diagnosed by Drs in Toronto but in a 2nd tier city. The doctor was young & smart. Same about the tests. I haven’t seen this efficiency in Australia either,” writes another.
One of the most significant advantages of the Indian healthcare system is its cost-effectiveness. Medical treatments and procedures in India are far less expensive than in developed nations, making it a global hub for medical tourism. For instance, surgeries such as heart bypasses or knee replacements can be performed at a fraction of the cost in India compared to countries like the United States. Many patients from developed nations choose India for high-quality medical care at affordable prices, benefiting from the competitive pricing in private hospitals. The lower cost of healthcare extends to pharmaceuticals, where India is a global leader in producing generic medicines at low costs.
India has a robust and growing private healthcare sector, which complements the public healthcare system. Many private hospitals in India offer world-class healthcare services, advanced medical technologies, and highly skilled healthcare professionals. These private institutions provide specialized care and have made India a sought-after destination for complex medical procedures like organ transplants, cancer treatments, and fertility treatments. Private sector competition encourages innovation and keeps healthcare services at globally competitive rates.
India’s emergence as a medical tourism destination is a testament to the quality and cost-effectiveness of its healthcare services. The country’s hospitals and healthcare professionals are globally recognized for offering world-class treatment at significantly lower costs compared to developed countries. Treatments for conditions like cancer, orthopedic surgeries, cardiac interventions, and cosmetic procedures attract thousands of international patients annually. India’s strong medical tourism industry highlights the availability of high-quality services that rival those in developed nations but at a more affordable rate. Developed countries often struggle with the high costs of healthcare, making India an attractive alternative for foreign patients seeking affordable yet effective treatment.
Launched in 2018, Ayushman Bharat is one of the largest government-funded healthcare programs in the world, offering coverage to over 500 million low-income individuals. This scheme is an ambitious attempt to provide healthcare access to a large section of the population, addressing both preventive and curative care. While developed countries like the UK and Germany have well-established universal healthcare systems, Ayushman Bharat stands out for its sheer scale and potential impact on a country with such a large population. The program includes free health insurance, cashless treatment, and financial protection against catastrophic healthcare expenses, bringing India closer to achieving universal health coverage.
India’s healthcare system is uniquely diverse, blending modern allopathic medicine with traditional systems such as Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy (AYUSH). This integration of traditional medicine with modern healthcare provides Indian patients with a range of therapeutic options that are not as widely available in developed countries. AYUSH systems are cost-effective, culturally rooted, and often preferred for treating chronic conditions or providing preventive care. This diversity allows India to cater to a broader population base, particularly in rural areas where traditional medicine might be more accessible than modern healthcare.
The affordability and wide availability of medicines in India, compared to countries like the US, where drug prices are significantly higher, is a crucial advantage of the Indian healthcare system. India also played a vital role in vaccine development and distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting its capacity for large-scale pharmaceutical production.
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India boasts a vast pool of highly skilled healthcare professionals, including doctors, surgeons, and nurses who are internationally recognized for their expertise. Indian doctors are in high demand globally, and many healthcare professionals from India work in leading medical institutions in developed countries. The country’s medical education system produces a large number of healthcare workers annually, which helps meet the demand for healthcare services domestically and internationally. In comparison, some developed countries face shortages of healthcare professionals, leading to longer wait times for patients.
India’s healthcare sector has seen rapid technological advancements, especially in areas such as telemedicine, mobile health apps, and digital healthcare platforms. Telemedicine has been instrumental in expanding access to healthcare in rural areas, allowing patients to consult with doctors from urban centers without the need for physical travel. The adoption of telemedicine and other digital health solutions is helping India bridge the gap between rural and urban healthcare services, an area where even developed nations are grappling with resource distribution challenges.
India has been increasingly focusing on preventive healthcare, which is a critical area for improving public health outcomes. Initiatives like Swachh Bharat (Clean India), aimed at improving sanitation and hygiene, and Mission Indradhanush, aimed at increasing immunization coverage, are steps toward reducing the disease burden. Preventive healthcare is gaining traction in India, which, over time, can lead to reduced healthcare costs and better health outcomes, putting it on par with developed countries that emphasize prevention.
