Resource Type: Report
Authors: V. R. Muraleedharan
Published: 3/1/1999

Resource Description:

This paper examines India’s private hospital sector, focusing on urban hospitals. Data collected for the study from a sample of hospitals in Madras City was used to analyze the size, infrastructure, and distribution of private hospitals, the range and pricing of services offered, and the various payment schemes for private hospitals, diagnostic centers, and physicians. The study also identifies strategies to improve the performance and accessibility of the private hospital market. Policy issues discussed include the process of deregulation, the interaction between the public and private health sectors and the question of over-provision of services. The paper concludes that there is a need for improved data on the growth and distribution of private sector health professionals and for policies beneficial to both public and private health sectors. Creation of a separate state agency concerned with the development of the private health sector is also recommended.