Health Sector Development in India: An Account from Bhore Committee 1946 to National Health Policy 2017

Abstract

Many ideas were implemented to protect the health of Indian citizens and refugees, rural and urban population, young and old, and men and women over several decades. Some of the policies are translated to programmes in the ground level and help improve the measurable rates and ratios of the health system successfully. There is an improvement in life expectancy at birth, reduction of child mortality and maternal mortality, control, and reduction of epidemics over a period spanning more than seven decades post-independence. However, the comparison of the health achievement of India with the global south and north brings much disparity in the achievement rates, of which India clearly belongs to the global south. This article highlights many salient features of relevant healthcare policies and the progress thereof in the crucible of time. The article discusses the key historical developments in the Bhore Committee report 1946, Planning Commission of India, Alma Atta Declaration 1978, Health for All by 2000, National health policy 2002, High-Level Expert Group Report 2011, National Health Policy 2017, Astana Declaration 2017, and Prime Ministers Jan Arogya Yojna 2018, along with other policy documents having a strong bearing on the healthcare system of India.