Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development

Abstract

This research paper attempts to collate literature from various sources, in an attempt to answer four pertinent questions related to private health care in India. Firstly, emerging relationship between private health care and market, secondly how the private health care sector is delivering health in terms of its quality; thirdly what is the structure and pattern of health care from the provider's perspective? Finally, the paper tries to highlight some of the dehumanizing issues/aspects in private health care which are relevant for the consumers of health care.

Markets in the health care are also governed by the purchasing power of the individuals in society. They are not democratic institutions and it results into the marginalization of the marginal. It is evident that the private health sectors attracts and treat persons who can pay more hence it is selective. Quality of health care in private sector is a myth as in private sector job insecurity and poor working conditions bound to affect the quality of care provided to the patients. Private health care professionals are essentially for the sale and use of goods produced by the health care industry. User charges, usage of high tech diagnostic tools, irrational diagnosis, and technology for money has become a culture of practice for the doctors. Professionals in healthcare defend unfair and trade practices which sometimes leads to the unethical practices under the garb of professional independence.

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