Govt panel suggests regulatory mechanism for healthcare sector

NEW DELHI: A government panel has suggested path-breaking reforms to revamp the country's healthcare system, including regulatory mechanism for the heath sector- both public and private -to ensure affordable and quality healthcare for all the citizens.

The expert group of the Planning Commission aims to set up the National Health Regulatory and Development Authority, an apex body to keep an eye on both public and private healthcare providers.

A system of universal healthcare was suggested by the expert group to ensure all the citizens can access promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative heath services at an affordable cost so that they do not suffer financial hardship in pursuit of good health.

The authority will enjoy power of enforcement and redressal along with overseeing accreditation of healthcare providers, development of ethical standards and a patient's charter of rights.

It will be empowered to take any measures to control entry, quality, quantity and price.

The committee recommended, "regulation of public and private sector to ensure provision of assured quality and rational pricing of healthcare services essential for implementation of universal healthcare.

The authority was advised to be set up to regulate pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

Registration of all clinics has to be made mandatory along with the accreditation of all healthcare providers, including both allopathic and traditional (ayurvedic).

The proposed National Health and Medical Facilities Accreditation Authority (NHMFA) will define standards of healthcare facilities. Similar accreditation agencies under the supervision of NHMFA will be set up in states to oversee the operations and administrative protocol of healthcare facilities.

An autonomous office - Health System Evaluation Office - will be established to independently appraise the performance of both public and private health services at all levels.

Aiming to provide free healthcare for all, the panel, headed by Dr K Srinath Reddy, argued for a national health entitlement card (NHEC) for every citizen that will guarantee access to a package of essential primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare fully funded by the Centre.

The plan is of ensuring coverage of both in-patient and OPD services free of cost with cashless facility. The health package will focus on most common and high-impact healthcare requirements.

Patients will be free to choose between public sector facilities and private providers that enter into contract with the government.