A strong warning has been issued by medical professionals in Punjab's industrial hub, Ludhiana, against the increasing trend of privatising healthcare services. Doctors associated with the Services Doctors Association have voiced grave concerns, stating that such a move will severely aggravate poverty levels by making essential medical care unaffordable for the common citizen.
Doctors Rally Against Privatisation Policy
The association organised a significant protest on Thursday, bringing together doctors from across the district to highlight the detrimental effects of privatisation. The demonstration, held at the local civil surgeon's office, saw participants holding placards and raising slogans against the government's policy direction. The core argument presented was that shifting healthcare towards private entities places a massive financial burden on patients, directly contradicting the goal of universal health coverage.
Dr. Rohit Kumar, the president of the Services Doctors Association, Ludhiana, led the charge. He emphasised that quality healthcare is a fundamental right, not a luxury commodity. "When government hospitals and services are privatised or when public-private partnership (PPP) models are enforced without safeguards, the immediate cost is transferred to the patient," Dr. Kumar stated. This results in catastrophic out-of-pocket expenses that can devastate family finances.
The Direct Link Between Medical Bills and Poverty
The doctors provided a stark analysis of how privatisation fuels poverty. In a fully public system, citizens pay minimal to no charges for consultations, diagnostics, and treatments. Privatisation dismantles this safety net. The association highlighted that even with government-sponsored insurance schemes, the high costs of procedures in private facilities often exceed coverage limits, leaving families in debt.
Furthermore, the protestors pointed out that privatisation often leads to a neglect of rural and under-served areas, as private companies focus on urban, profitable centres. This creates a two-tier system: one for the affluent who can afford private care and a crumbling, underfunded public system for the poor. The doctors stressed that this inequality in access is a major social justice issue.
Key Demands of the Medical Fraternity
The protesting doctors have put forth clear demands to the state and central governments. They are calling for a halt to the privatisation of existing public healthcare facilities. Instead, they advocate for a significant increase in government investment to strengthen the public health infrastructure.
Their demands include:
- Increased budgetary allocation for government hospitals to improve facilities, equipment, and drug availability.
- Filling all vacant posts of doctors and paramedical staff to ensure adequate human resources.
- Stopping the transfer of land and assets of government medical institutions to private players.
- Ensuring that any collaboration with the private sector is strictly regulated to keep essential services affordable.
The association warned that if their concerns are not addressed, they will be forced to intensify their agitation. The protest in Ludhiana is seen as part of a larger, nationwide apprehension among healthcare workers about the future of equitable medical access in India.
The doctors' protest underscores a critical debate in India's health policy: whether to treat healthcare as a market-driven industry or as a public good essential for national well-being and economic stability. Their message is clear: strengthening public health is not an expense, but an investment in preventing poverty and building a healthier, more productive society.
