An unhealthy choice

NITI Aayog's private hospitals-first approach is misguided

The Union government has prepared a draft contract, in an effort spearheaded by the NITI Aayog, to be offered to private hospitals to provide health services in co-operation with district hospitals. This draft, which had some initial inputs from the Union health ministry, has been sent to the states for comments. The draft provides for 30-year leases for 50- or 100-bed hospitals to be bid out in Tier-II towns. These hospitals will be able to take advantage of the infrastructure, including blood banks and ambulance services, of district hospitals, receive assured referrals from state-run primary health centres and also benefit