Humm Care’s Annual report “Women’s Health and Family Imperative: Ensuring Equitable Access to Healthcare” provides an in-depth analysis of the Indian healthcare market, focusing on family needs and healthcare accessibility. It highlights significant gaps and challenges in accessing healthcare services and suggests areas for policy and organizational improvement.
The Indian healthcare market, one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country, includes hospitals, clinical trials, telemedicine, health insurance, and medical equipment. The market is characterized by a dual healthcare system comprising both public and private providers. Public hospitals offer subsidized care, while private hospitals deliver high-quality, specialized services. Despite substantial growth, challenges remain, such as high out-of-pocket expenditures and limited insurance coverage.
Humm Care’s June 2024 survey identifies key gaps in healthcare accessibility. The survey, which included 315 respondents, revealed that many individuals do not receive adequate support from their workplaces. About 62.6% of respondents reported insufficient workplace support, leading to increased stress and decreased productivity. The survey indicates a diverse range of employment statuses, necessitating flexible healthcare and support policies to accommodate various employment positions.
The report highlights the critical need for comprehensive postpartum and elderly care policies. There is a high demand for mental health counselling (47.1%), post-pregnancy support groups (39.7%), financial awareness programs (37.4%), and flexible work arrangements (36.8%) for postpartum support. Similarly, elderly care support requires programs for families (47.7%), educational programs for effective care (48.4%), and financial assistance (49.7%).
Challenges in healthcare accessibility include issues with telemedicine, such as the lack of personal interaction and uncertainty about its effectiveness. Major barriers to accessing specialist care include difficulty finding trustworthy specialists, high consultation fees, and lack of insurance coverage. High childcare costs and difficulty finding qualified providers are also significant barriers for working parents.
To address these gaps, the report recommends expanding healthcare coverage, enhancing workplace support services, improving access to specialist and telemedicine care, and providing targeted educational resources. Implementing these improvements can significantly enhance overall well-being and productivity, making healthcare systems more equitable, efficient, and responsive to all families’ needs.
Download the full report here – Humm Care’s Report
[Sign up here to never miss these candid conversations delivered straight to your inbox.]
