Radiance Research AcademyInternational Journal of Current Research and Review2231-21960975-52411621EnglishN2024November10Life Sciences The Path to Achieving Universal Healthcare in India English0305Snigdha SeksariaEnglish The Planning Commission of India defines universal health coverage as “equitable access for all Indian citizens regardless of income level, social status, gender, caste or religion, to affordable, accountable, appropriate health services of assured quality (promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative) as well as public health services addressing the wider determinants of health with the government being the guarantor and enabler, although not necessarily the only provider, of health and related services. The journey towards universal healthcare formally began, as far back in 1948, under Article 25 of the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Despite being home to one-sixth of the world’s population, India is still in the early stages of providing a form of comprehensive healthcare to her citizens and needs to take urgent action if she wants to realize her dream of being counted amongst the world’s foremost developed nations. Despite maintaining a high economic growth rate for the past two decades, India lags behind other low-middle income countries with a consistently high out-of-pocket spend. This article explores various aspects of the path achieving universal healthcare in India, including consensus around health financing, regulating, monitoring and community empowerment, with a focus on the debate between private and public provision of universal healthcare. For India, still in the infancy of its health care revolution, this means a long and drawn-out battle that will require increased political, public and social momentum, to inch the country ever-so closer to that fabled-state of Utopia. EnglishPlanning Commission of India, Universal healthcare, Human Rights, Sustainable Development Goals, WHO, Comprehensive healthcarehttp://ijcrr.com/abstract.php?article_id=4827http://ijcrr.com/article_html.php?did=4827 1. United Nations. The universal declaration of human rights. Geneva: UN General Assembly. 1948. Available: https://www. un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/2021/03/udhr.pdf [Accessed 30th September, 2024]. 2. Rodin J, de Ferranti D. Universal health coverage: the third global health transition? Lancet. 2012; 380(9845): 861-862. 3. Universal health coverage post-2015: putting people first. Lancet. 2014; 384(9960): 2083. 4. World Health Organization. Research for Universal Health Coverage. The World Health Report 2013. 2013. Available: https://nhsrcindia.org/sites/default/files/2021- 04/World%20 Health%20Research%20Report%202013%281%29.pdf [Accessed 30th September, 2024]. 5. Sen A. Universal Healthcare: the affordable dream. The Guardian. 2015. Available: https://www.theguardian.com/society/ 2015/jan/06/-sp-universal- healthcare-the-affordable-dreamamartya-sen [Accessed 30th September, 2024]. 6. Lagomarsino G, Garabrant A, Adyas A, Muga R, Otoo N. Moving towards universal health coverage: health insurance reforms in nine developing countries in Africa and Asia. Lancet. 2012; 380(9845):933–943. 7. Ellis-Petersen H. India overtakes China to become world’s most populous country. The Guardian. 2023. Available: https://www. theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/24/india-overtakes-chinato- become- worlds-most-populous-country [Accessed 30th September, 2024]. 8. Planning Commission of India. High Level Expert Group Report on Universal Health Coverage for India. New Delhi: Planning Commission of India. 2011 Available: https://nhm.gov. in/images/pdf/publication/Planning_Commission/rep_uhc0812. pdf [Accessed 30th September, 2024]. 9. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Draft National Health Policy 2015. New Delhi: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. 2015 Available: http:// www.mohfw.nic.in/showfile. php?lid=3014 [Accessed 30th September, 2024].