Technoglitch
Core Member
The deaths of two dengue-infected Delhi children after they were refused admission by hospitals (one private, one government) has led to yet another slugfest between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Leaving mud-slinging aside, the irony is difficult to miss. India, particularly Delhi, has been emerging as a hot spot on the world’s medical tourism map, with people from many countries coming for complicated surgeries. However, it appears we do not have enough beds for our sick children.
The survey shows that the number of hospital beds increased by 46% between 2004 and 2014. However, the number of beds per thousand people has only reached 2.71 from 2.25, way below the World Health Organization’s recommended level of five.
An almost 50% share of private hospitals in Delhi makes the state one of the costliest in terms of hospitalization expenditure, we pointed out in a Plainfactsseries last month. Private hospitals can be costlier during epidemics such as dengue. They are also not averse to using surge pricing tactics at these times just like cab aggregators Uber and Ola do during peak commute hours.
What is more alarming is the fact that Delhi is one of the best states in India in terms of hospital facilities. Except a few small states, Delhi has the lowest average population per government hospital bed in the country.
Death by denial: harsh reality of inadequate medical infrastructure - Livemint
The survey shows that the number of hospital beds increased by 46% between 2004 and 2014. However, the number of beds per thousand people has only reached 2.71 from 2.25, way below the World Health Organization’s recommended level of five.
An almost 50% share of private hospitals in Delhi makes the state one of the costliest in terms of hospitalization expenditure, we pointed out in a Plainfactsseries last month. Private hospitals can be costlier during epidemics such as dengue. They are also not averse to using surge pricing tactics at these times just like cab aggregators Uber and Ola do during peak commute hours.
What is more alarming is the fact that Delhi is one of the best states in India in terms of hospital facilities. Except a few small states, Delhi has the lowest average population per government hospital bed in the country.
Death by denial: harsh reality of inadequate medical infrastructure - Livemint
