Information Economy and Healthy Citizenry

Abstract

The National Health Policy (NHP) formulated in 2002 by the Government of India mentions challenges facing the health care delivery in the country today. There is recognition of the changes in the health problems afflicting the society since the NHP-1983. The "Health transition" in the Indian health system poses new challenges that need to be tackled with the aid of information technology. The transition of India into an information economy presents opportunities to tap the information technologies, especially, Internet, for health care delivery. Internet as a medium of communication could help in coordinating the efforts to provide decentralized health services throughout the country under one umbrella. The extent of broadband penetration in recent years provides an opportunity to reach the masses and impart them health education. Promoting preventative care and self-care using the Internet could alleviate the financial burden on the government due to rising health care delivery costs while increasing the efficacy of health care delivery.