However, there still lies a significant gap when we talk about access to healthcare in the rural areas. Rural healthcare is one of the biggest challenges faced by the administration of our country. More than 70% of India’s population resides in rural areas, and the majority of these rural areas have limited or zero access to primary healthcare services.

Ziqitza, a leading healthcare organization believes that healthcare is the right of every individual, however, lack of quality health infrastructure, inadequate qualified doctors, nurses and other medical staff, lack of access to basic medicines and facilities, act as hindrance in the attainment of this right. The situation is worrisome and Ziqitza Healthcare is of the opinion that India must reform its healthcare sector and push new policies and regulations that make primary healthcare accessible to everyone.

The government of India has introduced many programmes and policies for healthcare, however, success and effectiveness of these programs is questionable due to gaps in the implementation. Public health is a state subject in India and the role of the central govt is to complement the efforts of the states by ensuring a robust policy framework for the state to implement. India needs to improve its spending on healthcare. Whilst life expectancy has improved over the years owing to significant strides in healthcare, there still exists gaps that needs to be bridged. India needs to take affirmative action in this regard especially if it wants to achieve universal and affordable healthcare for all.

Ziqitza Healthcare ltd, urges that to achieve desirable results of good health and well-being and achieve universal access to good quality healthcare services, preventive and promotive health care orientation in all developmental policies is needed. However, expecting the government to solve all issues is not the solution. Even Ziqitza Rajasthan supports this that the government alone cannot improve the healthcare scenario in the country. It is a gargantuan task and must involve participation from all stakeholder groups. The private sector can also play a major role to support healthcare through their 2% CSR mandate. In recent years, Corporates are majorly spending into healthcare. Ziqitza Limited confirms that post COVID-19 health as a focus sector for CSR has witnessed increased attention, and both the government and corporations are investing in the sector to make it more accessible to everyone, especially the rural population.

ZHL Rajasthan believes that there is an urgent need to shift focus on primary care rather than improving tertiary care. Here the pharmacies in the interior of the country could be trained to provide medicines for common health problems. Basic diagnostics for blood pressure, diabetics etc can be provided with affordable and efficient health service. Ziqitza Limited Rajasthan supports the argument and enforces that primary healthcare infrastructure must be strengthened within the country, because primary healthcare centres are the lifeline of the rural areas.

Primary health centres (PHC) play a crucial role since they have better access to the community and are always the first line of defence against any illness. PHCs can easily manage mild to moderate cases of diseases. PHCs work model is based on its basic pillars of promotive, preventive, curative and rehabilitative services. Ziqitza Healthcare limited has worked with PHCs during the COVID-19 pandemic wherein they played a crucial role in building adequate response in curbing the spread of the outbreak.

PHC infrastructure has huge potential when it comes to effectively addressing the healthcare and welfare needs of the rural population. PHCs act as the first line of defence and are well connected with the local delivery system for medicines and medical assistance. PHCs played a vital role during the coronavirus pandemic outbreak, since it played a vital role in stopping the virus transmission, detecting cases, and delivering basic medical resources and adequate aid to the affected population. A comprehensive and well-equipped framework and network of PHCs can reduce burden from the secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities.

Apart from this technology can also be leveraged to provide solutions that could play a crucial role in improving access to healthcare facilities in rural areas. Mobile based solutions can work wonders in reducing the healthcare gap in the country. A mobile health van is another solution that can be widely adopted for areas which are remote and not accessible.

About Ziqitza Limited Rajasthan

Ziqitza has been around in the medical industry for more than 17 years and is known for motivating and caring attitude and approach towards its employees. It is known for providing emergency medical services and has treated and saved the lives of millions of patients. It is a trusted and reputed name in the medical industry. It is a leading healthcare firm with more than 800 ambulance services and aims at a healthy and balanced working environment for its employees. ZHL Rajasthan and Ziqitza Limited also share the same beliefs and provide full support to Ziqitza in their endeavours.