Trends, enablers and barriers to healthcare utilisation in India

• Author Details:   
• Priyanka Devgun ^*
• Amanpreet Kaur
• Vimmi Gupta

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The enablers and barriers to healthcare utilisation determine the trends of the same. This is truer in low- and middle-income settings where there is a greater heterogenicity in the healthcare ecosystem.  Adoption of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) policies as the cornerstone post-independence, India has made a considerable progress in improving access, availability, affordability and adequacy to quality healthcare services. Enablers to healthcare utilisation include health schemes like Ayushman Bharat with expanded financial protection, direct benefit transfers in many health related programs to reduce out-of-pocket expenses. Increased awareness, community involvement, improved healthcare infrastructure and digital health innovations have also played a crucial role in enhancing accessibility. Despite all enablers, financial constraints both in terms of government expenditure on healthcare and community’s ability to pay for the same coupled with access to health services in fragmented public and private healthcare sectors remain a major hurdle. Sociocultural factors and logistical challenges further limit healthcare utilisation. Addressing these barriers requires a comprehensive approach, integrating policy reforms, financial investments, and community engagement to ensure equitable healthcare access for all.

Keywords: Trends, Enablers, Healthcare, Barriers.