From Coverage to Effective Protection: Reading NSS 80, NFHS-6 and National Health Accounts for Viksit Bharat 2047

Abstract

Abstract

India’s recent release of three major health datasets—the NSS 80th Round on health, National Family Health Survey-6, and National Health Accounts 2022–23, offers an important opportunity to reassess the direction of health policy. Read together, these datasets show that India has made strong gains in institutional delivery, immunisation, fertility stabilisation, and selected maternal and child health indicators. At the same time, they highlight persistent gaps in financial protection, continued dependence on private outpatient and inpatient care, and high household spending on medicines and diagnostics. The central policy message is that India must now move from coverage expansion to effective protection. The next phase of reform should strengthen primary care, assure essential medicines and diagnostics, integrate PM-JAY with public health systems, improve district-level planning, build a stronger health workforce, and regulate quality and costs across public and private sectors. For Viksit Bharat 2047, India needs a health system that provides timely, continuous, affordable and dignified care without financial hardship.