The Government-run hospitals are established to make sure that proper medical treatments are provided to people below the poverty line without any hindrance. It is run to provide social service to poor people who cannot afford the expenses of paying the fees of a doctor and to buy medicines. But unfortunately, nowadays this is not the case. The plight of the government hospitals is known to all. Indiscipline and irresponsibility have taken a toll there. In many cases, there are no qualified and experienced doctors available, the hygienic condition is bad and there is a lack of space to accommodate people. A hospital is a place where hygiene is given utmost importance. Just because they treat the patients for free or for very little cost, they do not pay heed to such things.

Because of irresponsibility and lack of diligence towards duty, the number of patients dying has also increased. Proper treatments are not provided to them. Due to various malpractices and corruption, only a few government hospitals function properly. The rest are a disgrace to the society. The failure of the state in providing adequate services to its citizens has been one of the main causes for the rise of capitalism in the country. One of the most basic amenities which millions of people across the country lack is the access to basic healthcare services. Hence, commercialisation of health sector has been on a rise in India.

Commercialization

Only 22 per cent of the health expenditure is public-funded in India as compared to 44 per cent in the US, or 95 per cent in countries like Sweden or 75 per cent in all the market economies of the world taken together. The private hospitals are hygienic. They have ample space to accommodate patients, have qualified doctors and the best possible treatments available; but, for all these services they charge exorbitant prices. They have made the health sector a commercial business, where they charge high amount of fees for check-ups and treatments. They are driven by profit motives. 

Private hospitals recommend tests and medicines unnecessarily, just for their profit. Not everyone can afford treatment in private hospitals. There are many cases of unnecessary surgeries in private hospitals. Many a time, the doctors in these hospitals give wrong suggestions to the patients in a hurry to make a quick buck. Commercialization of healthcare results in bringing better facilities and infrastructure to the healthcare system. But this should not lead to high costs that are not affordable to many. To provide universal access to healthcare, government should improve the quality of treatment in government hospitals.

Govt’s responsibility

For a section of the population which is not able to afford services of private hospital, it is the state’s responsibility to provide them with basic healthcare services as is available to citizens in the US or European nations. Failure of the state cannot be a reason for private players to not flourish and increase their network. Availability of doctors, nurses, medicines as well as medical equipment round-the-clock can go a long way in improving the Indian healthcare sector which lags behind its western counterparts. 

The private hospitals are also known for their focus on hygiene as well as security. In a similar manner, the government hospitals must have a clear focus. Today there is mushroom growth of Super Speciality and Multi-Speciality Hospitals. The government should have strict policies for such hospitals and monitor their functioning in order to curtail commercialization. 

Integrative Medicine

It is in the above scenario, the need for integrative gains importance. Integrative medicine uses an evidence-based approach to treat the whole person — the mind, body and soul. The physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs are all involved. So, integrative medicine uses a combination of therapies. It “integrates” conventional approaches and complementary therapies to achieve optimal health and healing.

Integrative health emphasizes multimodal interventions such as conventional health care approaches (like medication, physical rehabilitation, psychotherapy) and complementary health approaches (like acupuncture, yoga, and probiotics) in various combinations, with an emphasis on treating the whole person. Integrative health aims for well-coordinated care among different providers and institutions by bringing conventional and complementary approaches together to care for the whole person. This is holistic approach.

Benefits

The use of integrative approaches to health and wellness has grown within care settings across the world. Researchers are currently exploring the potential benefits of integrative health in a variety of situations, including pain management for military personnel and veterans, relief of symptoms in cancer patients and survivors, and programs to promote healthy behaviours.

Many people can benefit from integrative medicine, including healthy people. People with long-lasting (chronic) or complex conditions may especially find the approach helpful. Integrative medicine can help you find relief for many health and medical conditions, including: Autoimmune diseases, Acute and chronic pain, Breathing disorders, Headaches and migraines, Cancer and cancer-related side effects, Chronic fatigue, Cold/flu symptoms, Digestive disorders, Infertility, Menopausal symptoms, Menstrual issues, Mental and emotional health issues, Obesity, High blood pressure (hypertension) and Sleep issues.

Integrative medicine techniques support our body’s natural ability to heal. It helps us reduce stress and promotes a state of relaxation that leads to better health. It can help us achieve optimal health when we engage in our own healing and feel empowered to make lifestyle changes. Adding integrative medicine to our healthcare routine can help us regain control of your well-being.

Some choose integrative medicine because they wish to integrate complementary therapies with the traditional Western medicine treatments they receive. Others prefer the holistic approach to care for their health, and consider integrative medicine more aligned with their beliefs in treating the whole person rather than just a disease/medical condition. Still others prefer the personalized approach to care that integrative medicine offers. 

As integrative medicine continues to grow in popularity, research shows promising evidence that integrative medicine can provide effective, safe, and cost-effective treatments and prevent future disease in patients while fostering overall wellness. Patients who have participated in integrative medicine report having established positive, caring relationships with healthcare providers who promoted their self-care and well-being. They also report high overall satisfaction with their experiences.

A variety of healthcare providers delivers care through integrative medicine. These providers may include: Physicians, Chiropractic doctors, Holistic mind-body psychotherapists, Acupuncturists, Chinese herbal therapists, Tai chi practitioners, Yoga practitioners, Massage therapists, Nutritionists, and Chefs (culinary medicine). Integrative medicine physicians do not replace our primary care provider or specialist. They work together with all members of our healthcare team to heal our mind, body and spirit. Their expertise lies in preventing and managing chronic diseases. Integrative medicine physicians do not treat acute medical problems. For acute care and medical emergencies, we need to seek help from our primary care or emergency medicine physician.

Universal Health

Universal Health means that all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship. It covers the full continuum of essential health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care across the life course. 

The delivery of these services requires health and care workers with an optimal skills-mix at all levels of the health system, who are equitably distributed, adequately supported with access to quality assured products, and enjoying decent work. Achieving Universal Health is one of the targets the nations have set when they adopted the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. There has to be a concerted effort of government, international development agencies, non-governmental organizations and individual groups. It is everyone’s responsibility to work towards the achievement of this goal.