Overpopulation’s Impact on India’s Healthcare SystemOverpopulation’s Impact on India’s Healthcare System India faces a significant strain on its healthcare infrastructure due to its vast and unevenly distributed population, with only 20 health workers per 10,000 people, according to Dr. Shuchin Bajaj, founder and director of Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals. Since India’s independence in 1947, the population has surged from 336 million to approximately 1.5 billion, resulting in challenges in public health, poverty, and infectious diseases. Overpopulation significantly affects public health, as evidenced by overcrowded hospitals, inadequate medical services, and an increased risk of infectious diseases caused by poor sanitation and water access. The imbalance in healthcare distribution, combined with declining fertility rates in some states, exacerbates the disparities in healthcare delivery. Malnutrition and food scarcity are prevalent due to resource shortages, while chronic conditions struggle to be managed effectively, leading to higher morbidity and mortality rates. To address these challenges, Dr. Bajaj emphasizes the need for immediate action and sustained commitment to comprehensive public health strategies and sustainable development policies. He advocates for equitable healthcare access and prioritizes investments in health infrastructure to ensure a healthier future for India’s citizens. (IANS)
New Delhi: With just 20 health workers per 10,000 people, unevenly distributed across regions, the strain on healthcare infrastructure is immense, Dr Shuchin Bajaj, Founder & Director Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, said on Sunday.
Since India gained independence in 1947, the population has grown from 336 million to about 1.5 billion, which has triggered issues at several levels, such as public health, poverty, infections and others.
On World Population Day, which is observed on July 11 every year, it is important to recognise that overpopulation in India profoundly impacts public health, the doctor said.
“This imbalance leads to overcrowded hospitals, inadequate medical services, and heightened risks of infectious diseases due to poor sanitation and water access,” Bajaj told IANS.
“Moreover, declining fertility rates, with many states below replacement levels, don’t alleviate the burden but rather highlight the disparities in healthcare delivery,” he added.
The consequences of overpopulation extend beyond healthcare, affecting air and water quality, and exacerbating respiratory and waterborne illnesses.
According to Bajaj, malnutrition and food scarcity are rampant as resources struggle to keep pace with demand.
“Our healthcare systems are stretched thin, struggling to provide even basic care and manage chronic conditions effectively, which inevitably leads to higher morbidity and mortality rates,” he said.
The doctor mentioned that addressing these challenges demands not just immediate action but also “sustained commitment to comprehensive public health strategies and sustainable development policies”.
Bajaj also highlighted that there is a great need to advocate for equitable healthcare access and prioritise investments in health infrastructure to ensure a healthier future for all.
(IANS)
