NSO Survey Highlights Improved Healthcare Access and Utilisation

NSO Survey Highlights Improved Healthcare Access and Utilisation

Why in the News ?

The National Statistical Office released findings from its 80th health survey, showing improved health-seeking behaviour, rising insurance coverage, and increased use of public healthcare facilities, indicating progress in India’s healthcare accessibility and affordability.

Improved Health-Seeking Behaviour and Coverage:

  • The Proportion of Population Reporting Ailment (PPRA) nearly doubled between 2017–18 and 2025.
  • Rural PPRA increased from 6.8% to 12.2%, while urban rose from 9.1% to 14.9%.
  • Higher reporting reflects greater awareness and willingness to seek treatment.
  • Coverage under government health insurance schemes rose sharply:

○   Rural: 12.9% → 45.5%

○   Urban: 8.9% → 31.8%

  • Significant increase in institutional deliveries:

○   Rural: 95.6%

○   Urban: 97.8%

  • The survey covered 1.39 lakh households, ensuring robust national representation.

Healthcare Affordability and Public System Strengthening

  • Median Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) for hospitalisation stands at ₹11,285.
  • Indicates that most cases incur relatively low healthcare costs, with few high-cost exceptions.
  • In public hospitals, median OOPE is just ₹1,100, reflecting affordability.
  • For outpatient care, median OOPE is zero in public facilities, ensuring free access.
  • Utilisation of public healthcare increased:

○   Rural outpatient care usage rose from 28% (2014) to 35% (2025).

  • Expansion of free drugs, diagnostics, and primary healthcare services drove improvements.
  • Greater reliance on public health institutions shows increasing trust and accessibility.

About India’s Health System & Key Schemes :

●  Ayushman Bharat Scheme (2018):

○   Includes Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) and

○   Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana for secondary and tertiary care.

●  Focus on Universal Health Coverage (UHC): equitable access to affordable healthcare.

●  Shift in disease pattern:

○   Decline in infectious diseases

○   Rise in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases.

●  OOPE: Key indicator of financial burden; reduction signifies better financial protection.

●  Government initiatives emphasise:

○   Preventive and promotive healthcare

○   Early diagnosis and screening

○   Strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure

●  Challenges remain:

○   Rising burden of NCDs

○   Regional disparities in healthcare access

○   Need for higher public health expenditure