PUBLIC HEALTH REFORMS IN INDIA POST COVID-19:A GOVERNMENT-LED TRANSFORMATION

Abstract

 The COVID-19 pandemic was a major global health crisis in the 21st century. For India, it was both a challenge and an opportunity. It revealed existing weaknesses in infrastructure and healthcare readiness, but also spurred reforms that had been long envisioned. The Indian government responded with a wide-ranging approach that combined swift policy measures, technological advancements, and investments in infrastructure.

Initiatives such as the large-scale vaccination drive supported by the CoWIN platform, and the creation of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to serve as the foundation of a digital health system, marked significant changes.[3] The telemedicine service eSanjeevani helped bridge the gap between rural and urban healthcare, while the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) enhanced disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, and critical care at the district level.

This paper examines how these government-led initiatives have reshaped public health in India after COVID-19, suggesting that the pandemic acted as a progress toward healthcare, increased resilience, and a greater health equity.