GS2 – Social Sector
Context
By 2050, over one-fifth of India’s population will be elderly. This demographic shift is expected to stress healthcare systems, especially due to high end-of-life expenses and inadequate geriatric services, particularly in rural areas.
What is Geriatric Care?
Geriatric care refers to healthcare services designed specifically for the needs of older adults, aiming to enhance their quality of life through tailored medical and social support.
Challenges
- Urban-Rural Imbalance:
- 70% of the elderly reside in rural areas.
- Rural elderly must travel over 28 km for healthcare, compared to 10 km for urban residents (Lancet, 2024).
- Rising Medical Costs:
- India recorded a 14% medical inflation rate in 2024—highest in Asia.
- Many elderly struggle to afford treatment for chronic conditions.
- Geriatric Workforce Deficit:
- Only around 200 trained geriatricians for 120 million senior citizens.
- Elderly make up ~60% of ICU patients, showing a stark service gap.
- Low Public Investment:
- Public health expenditure remains between 1.2–1.9% of GDP.
- Resulting in limited infrastructure and services tailored to elderly needs.
Opportunities & Recent Policy Moves
- Private Sector Role:
- Expansion of services like home-based care, preventive screenings, and telemedicine.
- Government Schemes:
- Ayushman Bharat–PMJAY: Offers ₹5 lakh annual health coverage for individuals aged 70+ at public and private hospitals.
- NPCDCS: Targets non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cancer.
- Primary Healthcare Innovations:
- Home care services, mobile medical units, and digital health tools to ensure continuity of care.
Way Forward
- Strengthen Ayushman Arogya Mandirs: Focus on integrated, elderly-friendly care services.
- Enhance Public Health Spending: Push funding beyond 2% of GDP to meet growing demand.
- Improve Transport Integration: Make health services more accessible to rural elderly.
- Invest in Geriatrics Education: Expand training in elder care as a medical speciality.