62% Indians say that many citizens cannot afford good healthcare in the country as it is beyond their means.
Mumbai: On World Health Day, a 31 country Ipsos Health Service Report 2024 shows the health concerns bothering Indians most were cancer (47%), obesity (28%) and mental health (26%). The other key health concerns emerging were drug abuse (16%) and stress (14%). Though compared to 2023, concern around some health issues has dipped, while for some it has surged – cancer (-12%), stress (-1%), obesity (+10%), mental health (+7%) and drug abuse (+2%).
Gauri Pathak, Head of Healthcare & Pharma Research, Ipsos India said, “Cancer remains the top health concern in India. The growing concern about obesity can be attributed to the noise created by various companies around the risks and need to treat. Non communicable diseases (NCDs) will continue to worry Indians and there is a strong need to create awareness that these can be reversed by making slow and steady lifestyle changes.”
“This year’s theme on World Health Day, which is also the founding day of the World Health Organisation (WHO) is – Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures – focusing on the critical role of maternal and newborn health for fostering their long-term well-being, through proper nutrition and care. Several govt schemes in India cater to the wellbeing of expectant mothers and newborns – the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) for financial assistance, Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) for promoting institutional deliveries, and Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) for free delivery services, including C-sections, in public health institutions. Malnutrition of expectant mothers remains an area of concern,” added Pathak.
Challenges facing healthcare services
Cost of accessing treatment (28%) emerged the biggest concern of Indians, with burgeoning cost of treatment, hospital stay and bills. Another big area of concern was access to treatment/ long waiting hours (25%) – with clinics and hospitals overburdened, which was also voiced by at least 60% of Indians polled, believing the healthcare system is over stretched. There was also concern around ageing (25%) – while currently India’s 65% population is aged under 35 years, India’s elderly population (60+) is projected to grow significantly, increasing from 10.5% in 2022 to 20.8% by 2050; inadequate staff (24%), also emerged as an area of concern, with not enough medical staff for patient care. And then there was concern of bureaucracy (21%) – making it a controlled and inflexible system.
“Healthcare cost continues to be steep, if one needs to avail quality and comfort. While PM JAY has provided reprieve to the masses, yet, treatment cost can make a huge hole in the pocket,” stated Pathak.
62% Indians say that many citizens cannot afford good healthcare in the country as it is beyond their means. Though citizens believe India has the wherewithal to provide the best treatment (63%).
Technical note: Ipsos interviewed 24,668 people online in the following countries between July 26 and August 9, 2024. Quotas were set to ensure representativeness and data have been weighted to the known population profile of each country. The sample consists of approximately 1,500 individuals each in Germany and Brazil, and 1,000 individuals each in Australia, Canada, France, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, and the U.S., and 500 individuals each in Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, and Türkiye. The sample in India consists of approximately 2,200 individuals, of whom approximately 1,800 were interviewed face-to-face and 400 were interviewed online.