India, Nov. 23 -- In spite of the pressing needs of a huge population, healthcare in India has never been an electoral mobiliser unlike in older democracies, such as the UK and the US. Only three National Health Policies (1983, 2002 and 2017) have been promulgated by respective Governments in the last 70 years. Though national policies and promises are often preceded by commitments of political parties in their manifestos, it is for the first time in the history of independent India that healthcare infrastructure has now become a top election agenda. This is all due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Our country should be moving towards a healthcare system that places a high priority on keeping people healthy and out of hospitals. And the prim...