India, Aug. 19 -- A nation is only as strong as the health of its villages. As India at 79 stands tall with resilience, innovation, and inclusive progress, this Independence Day is the right time to reflect on a deeper question: What does true healthcare equity mean for a rural citizen today? It is also a moment to reaffirm that the government, as the primary custodian of public health, is committed to reaching every last mile.

Health care equity means a villager can access dignified health care without travelling miles or facing financial hardship. Equality leaves the door open for those who can reach it; equity builds the road to that door for those who need it most. It means timely diagnosis, free medicines, trained health workers, an...