Privatisation of primary health care flayed

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 21

Dr Vitull K Gupta, chairman, Association of Physicians of India (API), Malwa branch, has sent written representations to Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh and Health Minister Brahm Mohindra, urging them not to privatise primary care services in Punjab.

Dr Vitull said the API condemned the Punjab Health Department for inviting expression of interest from private doctors and hospitals to run rural primary health centres, community health centres and urban community health centres, because such a step by the government will severely compromise already dismal primary care services, especially in rural areas.

He said universal, economical, affordable, equitable health care for all could not be provided by private parties, but by a robust, strong and efficient public health care system which requires a multipronged, multidimensional approach, a clear vision, and more importantly increasing health budget to 3% of GDP.