Lancet Commission Calls for Radical Shift: Citizen-Centred Health System for India
The Lancet Commission pushes citizen-centred, rights-based health reforms for India's UHC.
A new Lancet Commission report has laid out a roadmap for a rights-based, citizen-centred health system in India, aiming to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in line with the country’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The report calls for stronger public healthcare, innovative financing, digital integration, and active community participation to ensure accessible, equitable, and high-quality care for all citizens.
The international team of authors, including experts from Harvard Medical School and the Population Foundation of India, emphasised the need to integrate services across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels while increasing government investment and accountability. They highlighted that decentralisation, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and continuous learning are key to addressing the country’s vast diversity.
Poonam Muttreja, executive director of the Population Foundation of India, stressed that citizens should be recognised as partners rather than passive patients. “Health systems become more responsive, equitable, and compassionate when citizens participate in the planning, delivery, and accountability of services,” she said.
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The report urges reforms beyond technical fixes, requiring strong political will and leadership to ensure the health system is truly citizen-focused. It identifies the public sector as the primary vehicle for UHC while shaping private healthcare to complement public efforts effectively.
Established in December 2020, the Lancet Commission on a citizen-centred health system for India drew upon diverse expertise and research to propose actionable recommendations, aiming to build a sustainable, inclusive, and transparent healthcare system.
The report positions India to not only strengthen its healthcare delivery but also to ensure that citizens are at the centre of planning and decision-making, paving the way for a more equitable future in public health.
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