Fixing India's healthcare system

 India has made remarkable strides in increasing the life expectancy of its citizens. During the beginning of the 1930s, the average life expectancy of an Indian adult was only 32 years.

 As of 2000,the average life expectancy stands at 64 years. Advances in medical science and improvements in sanitation have reduced the spread of infectious diseases, better medical facilities, preventive measures using vaccines against diseases such as polio, measles and awareness have contributed to the rise in life expectancy.

 This article analyses the state of healthcare in India, indicates some of the deep-rooted structural problems, and highlights possible solutions to address the problem.

 J.K Arrow, the Nobel Prize winning economist laid the foundation of health economics. His major contributions to the field are medical economics of social choice, social investment criteria, market failure in healthcare, behavioural aspects of healthcare under uncertainty and optimal insurance.

 The principles are relevant for India