India has a universal health care system that is applicable across all states and union territories of the country. The government of India has set up a National Health Policy with the aim of ensuring equal healthcare facilities for all sections of the population. However, in reality, apart from the public healthcare institutions such as government hospitals and primary health centres, there is a vast and growing network of private healthcare institutions as well. Some of the key healthcare issues that the country is facing at the moment include malnutrition, high infant mortality rate, frequent occurrence of epidemics, poor sanitation facilities and the need for better rural health services. In fact, the government has a specific National Rural Health Mission in place to cater to states with weak rural health infrastructure. Certain trends such as the shifting demographics and the shift from chronic to lifestyle-based diseases are also prompting increased expenditure on healthcare services within the country. Hide this