MP Arora takes up issue of affordable healthcare in 5th Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit 2023

Ludhiana, February 24, 2023: AAP’s MP (Rajya Sabha) from Ludhiana Sanjeev Arora has laid stress on ensuring the availability of affordable healthcare facilities to people of Punjab especially the needy and poor ones while participating in a panel discussion held on the theme `Evolving Healthcare and Medical Ecosystem -Appraising, Adopting, affecting Lives’ during 5th Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit 2023 on Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Session at Indian School of Business, Mohali on Friday. He also appreciated Mohalla Clinics started by AAP in Punjab.

Dr Balbir Singh, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Punjab; Pardeep Aggarwal, CEO State Health Agency, Punjab; and VK Meena, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab were among those present on the occasion. 

Giving further details on his return here after his participation in panel discussion, Arora said he categorically stated that both public and private partnership in healthcare is needed but the government should spend more. He opined that in India 1.98 per cent of the total GDP is spent on healthcare whereas world over it is around 7 to 8 per cent. He asserted that the government expenditure on healthcare facilities should be much more which will help needy. This spend should be Health Care, Research & alternative medicine. 

Arora categorically stated that private sector always watches its interest first to generate revenue. In-fact, private sector always looks for its potential to make its earnings, he said. He opined that people would be availing further chances of affordable healthcare if the government participation is increased. 

Further, he said as of now the world average of out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare is 18 per cent whereas in India the largest state Uttar Pradesh is above 70 per cent and national average is around 50 per cent which is very high despite health insurance, Ayushman Scheme and CGHS. Ultimately the burden is put on the pocket of common man, he added. 

Arora requested the Pharma Industry that it should make the healthcare facilities as affordable as possible. He also appreciated efforts of CM and Health Minister on steps taken and much more is required towards achieving goal of affordable health care in state.

Citing an example, Arora said he is also in the governing body of DMCH, Ludhiana, therefore, he usually gets a couple of calls every week with the request that please ask the doctor if their patient can be saved then keep admitted otherwise, they will take it.  He remarked, “I don’t understand that by saving a patient doctor is doing a favour to them or disfavor because the cost is too much that their family gets indebted heavily.” He said crux of the story is that people are unable to afford heavy expenses on healthcare. “This is why I’m saying that we need to reduce out of pocket expenses and more assurance of affordable healthcare to people especially needy and poor ones”, he said.

Further, Arora said even sometimes poor people do not want to go the hospital for getting the treatment. Many people even do not have sufficient money to get admission in the hospital. 

On the occasion, Dr Balbir Singh, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Punjab appreciated Arora’s views while presenting a memento to him. The Minister assured the state government would take into considerations all the suggestions and points discussed in today’s panel discussion.