COVID-19 and the burden of ill-health: a double crisis of disruptions and inequalities

Ramila Bisht (), Rajashree Saharia and Jyotishmita Sarma
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Ramila Bisht: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
Rajashree Saharia: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)
Jyotishmita Sarma: Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)

Journal of Social and Economic Development, 2021, vol. 23, issue 2, No 9, 342-356

Abstract: Abstract In this paper, we attempt to show how the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has disrupted routine health services in India and has created further inequalities in the society. By taking a few examples of non-COVID diseases and conditions like immunization, maternal health services, tuberculosis and non-communicable diseases, this paper shows how these services have been disrupted by the pandemic. The paper argues that these disruptions have not emerged only as a result of the current crisis, but because of the paradigm shifts in the healthcare delivery in the country towards privatization which have disproportionately marginalized particular sections of the society. The paper concludes by stating that if adequate measures are not taken now to transform the health system and strengthen the public healthcare system, it might lead to catastrophic consequences in the future, especially for the marginalized sections.

Keywords: COVID-19; Non-COVID conditions; Health inequalities; Routine health services; India (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1007/s40847-020-00117-x

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