In a quiet village near Muzaffarpur, Bihar, a 65-year-old man suffering from chest infections, blocked coughs, and breathing difficulties found himself caught up in a healthcare system that gave little hope for him. Having little option other than this, the family admitted him to a private hospital in Muzaffarpur, hoping for quality care. He was placed in the ICU at a daily cost of ₹2,500, and multiple tests amounting to ₹7,000 were done. Yet there was no improvement despite the very high cost. Instead of solutions, the family faced uncertainty and a near despair.
Days passed without any improvement in the patient’s health, and his family decided to find some better options for the treatment. Borrowing funds from relatives, he was shifted to one more private hospital in Muzaffarpur, hoping that perhaps a different hospital would now provide the solution. Another ten days of treatment and ICU care, including additional tests, continued with no change. Exhausted both emotionally and financially, they started doubting the reliability of the healthcare system from which they had expected miracles.
Finally, a ray of hope came when doctors recommended their case to Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGMS) in Patna, a government hospital reputed for its expertise and affordability. The doctors read all the labs’ reports and initiated effective treatment without running unnecessary tests. At last, with full support from the Ayushman Bharat scheme, under which all medical payments were borne, the patient showed signs of recovery. This family underwent an ordeal that highlighted the shocking difference between healthcare facilities in smaller cities and those in metro cities also.
Identifying the Critical Issues
The case reflects systemic challenges in healthcare systems in Tier 2 cities. The four aspects are:
1. Lack of Skilled Medical Professionals: Most private hospitals in small towns do not have seasoned specialists and diagnostic skills.
2. Exorbitantly Charged Treatment: Patients are imposed enormous fees for treatments which might be unnecessary or ineffective.
3. Little Infrastructure and Equipment: Most small hospitals are not equipped with advanced facilities for critical handling.
4. Overdependence on Metro Hospitals: Because of lack of faith in healthcare provided in smaller cities, patients usually travel to metro cities; this further increases the burden on hospitals in metro cities.
Solutions for Tier 2 City Healthcare:
1. Strengthening Public Healthcare Infrastructure: The first major priority is that the government should renovate the public hospitals in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. The funding provided to equip and maintain it should be higher, so that such centers can take care of all critical cases.
2. Incentivizing Skilled Professionals: Making policies to attract and retain experienced and competent doctors and nurses in small cities is of utmost importance. Increases in their pay scales along with housing and other opportunities for growth can bring the missing factor to the talent pool.
3. Regulating Private Hospitals: Greater enforcement to track quality and cost of total treatment in private hospitals. Without any such oversight, financial exploitation is possible with poor outcomes.
4. Propagating Government Health Schemes: Although aware of such schemes as Ayushman Bharat, families don’t access the scheme simply due to lack of knowledge; campaigns that make them aware of the schemes will promote a more affordable, accessible, and reliable health care system without financial strain; the lengthy process of applications can further discourage people from applying.
5. Investment in Telemedicine and Digital Health Care: Telemedicine platforms can be used to connect rural patients with specialists in urban areas. Digital health records improve
6. Creating Referral Networks: Creating official networks of referrals between metro facilities and smaller city hospitals helps expedite patient transfers and guarantee that urgent cases receive the right care in a timely manner.
7. Community Health Awareness: Hospital strain can be lessened by educating communities about the value of preventive healthcare. In remote places, routine screenings and health camps can identify illnesses early and prevent complications.
A Prospective Perspective
This 65-year-old man’s situation is not unique. It captures the hardships of innumerable families navigating a frequently ineffective healthcare system. Government, business, and medical professionals must work together to address these problems in order to foster confidence, upgrade infrastructure, and guarantee fair access to care.
Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities may provide the same caliber of care as their metro counterparts by implementing systemic changes and emphasizing patient-centric solutions, saving families the emotional and financial strain of long commutes. Only then will India’s healthcare system be able to adequately serve all of its citizens, no matter where they reside.
