'India Needs Rs 1.63 Lakh Cr Investment In Healthcare By 2017'

Calling for government support, it said the scale of creation in healthcare access will require a strong partnership between the public and the private stakeholders.

The first step in this direction can be by creating healthcare infrastructure by the government through the establishment of a healthcare infrastructure fund (HIF) with an initial corpus of 15,000 crore, the report said.

Another step can be allowing business trusts and real estate investment trusts (REITS) in healthcare, it added.

Establishment of a nodal agency for healthcare to spur the growth of the sector and creation of healthcare infrastructure was another important step for increasing the access, it suggested.

On the cost to patients, the report said a transparent and viable pricing formula for reimbursement is another key factor, while suggesting establishment of a central government Health Scheme (CGHS) pricing formula similar to the one used for the power sector.

Scaling up public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the creation of healthcare infrastructure and enhancing financial access through Universal Health Coverage for every citizen will be other important factors as per the report.