In this panel discussion, Dr Ramanan Laxminarayan, Director, Centre for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy (Moderator); Dr Ratna Devi, CEO, Dakshama Healthcare, Dr Nimesh G Desai, Director, Institute of Human Behavior and Allied Sciences and Dr Shifalika Goenka, Head of Department, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Additional Professor, Indian Institute of Public Health, PHFI, deliberated on the demographic shifts and societal changes, which in turn, are giving rise to varied public health challenges and demanding new directions as well as approaches in the delivery of healthcare. The panelists also explored all-inclusive strategies to deal with these issues. They recognised that the biggest challenge in public health is that the health of nation is only in charge of the health ministry. Health and healthcare is connected to other industries as well, therefore a collaborative approach from other sectors is equally necessary.
Experts on this panel spoke on the patient empowerment movement across the country. They agreed that patients today are much more informed and demanding. There is a need to focus on public health initiatives in keeping with this. They discussed the need for distributive justice on healthcare financing within the country and how these aspects are slowly changing. The panelists also examined the Mental Health Act and how insurance for mental health should be at par with other medical conditions. Some panelists pointed out that in the years to come over diagnosis of illness will be the real danger. There is a danger of our psychologising the society in the future, they all agreed.
Key takeaways
- Distributive justice on the healthcare financing aspect is slowly changing
- Mental Health Act is a good initiative as it recognises mental health as a right
- Insurance for mental health should be at par as other medical conditions
- Biggest challenge in public health is that the health of nation is only in charge of the health ministry
- National safety framework for health was launched this year but needs support from state governments for further progress
- Over diagnostics is the real danger of the 21st century
- The role of family is immense in curbing and controlling mental diseases. There is a danger of our psychologising the society
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