Government considering PPP in health sector

New Delhi, Mar 25: The government is considering to promote public-private partnership for proper and efficient delivery of healthcare mechanisms and introducing a health cess to increase its resources.

The recommendations of the Global HealthCare Promoting Partnership for improving the working of the healthcare sector and to increase public-private partnership in the health sector, especially secondary and tertiary levels throughout the country ''are very good suggestions for taking action in the future,'' health ministry sources said.

It has also recommended the creation of a policy framework that could facilitate and attract huge doses of private investment in medical infrastructure and education.

The Partnership, sponsored by FICCI, had recommended facilitating private investment in medical education and training to overcome the shortage of doctors and nurses, improve infrastructure and enhance the quality of services in education and training.

It would also help them address issues relating to quality of health services, it opined.

The PPP would also facilitate the expansion and creation of a market for robust and quality healthcare system in the country that would attract private insurance companies in the field of health insurance.

It has also recommended extending the customs duty exemption to more life-saving and essential drugs not manufactured in India.

UNI