Convening today at TIFR, Mumbai on 29th January, 2017, on the occasion of the Tata Memorial Centre Platinum Jubilee Conference – ‘Healthcare – a commodity or a basic human need?’ We, the participants, call upon the Union, State, Municipal Governments and other Stakeholders to prioritize healthcare and commit to providing Universal Health Coverage with immediate effect.

Convening today at TIFR, Mumbai on 29th January, 2017, on the occasion of the Tata Memorial Centre Platinum Jubilee Conference – ‘Healthcare – a commodity or a basic human need?’ We, the participants, call upon the Union, State, Municipal Governments and other Stakeholders to prioritize healthcare and commit to providing Universal Health Coverage with immediate effect. Towards that goal, we must –

Increase central government allocation of funds to healthcare, from 1 Increase central government allocation of funds to healthcare, from 1.4% to 3% of GDP, along with a commensurate increase in the states’ contribution

Realize that universal healthcare cannot be delivered by the government sector alone, but also needs to be appropriately complemented by private and non- profit organizations

Reduce out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare, especially by BPL and vulnerable populations by improving public health systems and strengthening social health insurance

Prioritize preventive strategies such as immunisation, healthy lifestyle, wholesome nutrition, clean air and water, sanitation, occupational safety, focused action against substance abuse including tobacco and alcohol control  

Offer easy access to palliative care   Offer easy access to palliative care

Emphasize that informed participation of patients and their caregivers in the healthcare process is of utmost importance

Increase the number of qualified doctors, nurses, paramedical workers and technicians by expanding medical and paramedical educational infrastructure.

Mandate periodic capacity building and sensitization of healthcare providers with regard to professional competence, accountability, ethical conduct, compassion and an ethos of research

Ensure that all healthcare providers and institutions adhere to quality and transparency norms and evidence-based guidelines

Leverage technology to improve efficiency, cost-effectiveness, skill enhancement and access to healthcare delivery

Implement measures to curb rising healthcare costs, stop unethical practices and non-essential tests and treatments including unregulated usage of antibiotics

Create an enabling atmosphere for innovations and promote biomedical research, including on alternative medicine  

Build institutions that will manage disease surveillance mechanisms, strengthen health statistical system, analyse and disseminate health data in the public domain to assist evidence based health policy formulation and intervention.

Regulate effectively pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, device manufacturers, to make them transparent and accountable and health costs more predictable and unambiguous

Allocate strategically, CSR funds to strengthen existing gaps in healthcare facilities and support specific need-based health programs  

Assure the safety, efficacy, quality and appropriate pricing of drugs and medical devices by necessary regulation  

Promote health as an important issue in public discourse, with greater and sustained engagement of civil society, political parties and policy makers backed by committed and consistent media support

Commit to staying true to the principles evinced above till they are all realised