NEW DELHI: Healthcare leaders, clinicians, patient advocates and policy experts have called for a National Patient Charter to strengthen patient participation in healthcare policymaking and improve access to treatment.
The demand emerged during a National Leadership Roundtable on Patient Centricity held in New Delhi, where participants discussed concerns including limited patient representation, access to high-cost therapies and gaps in disability-inclusive healthcare.
Patient groups representing people living with conditions such as lung cancer, thalassemia, spinal muscular atrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis called for faster access to advanced treatments. They also sought wider coverage of expensive therapies under government health schemes, including Ayushman Bharat and the Central Government Health Scheme.
Participants said healthcare planning needs to take greater account of the experiences and requirements of patients and their families. They stressed that patients should have a stronger voice in decisions related to healthcare policies, treatment access and service delivery.
Early diagnosis was another area of concern discussed during the meeting. Participants pointed to gaps in newborn screening and the need for better long-term support for families dealing with neurodevelopmental conditions.
Healthcare leaders also emphasised the importance of making medical services more accessible to people with disabilities and ensuring that innovation does not remain limited to those who can afford expensive treatment.
A patient-first approach, they said, should focus on availability, accessibility, quality, innovation and shared decision-making.
The proposed National Patient Charter is intended to provide a broader framework for recognising patient participation as an important part of healthcare planning.
The discussions come as India’s healthcare system continues to expand its use of advanced treatments and technologies while facing challenges related to affordability and unequal access.
A formal charter could provide a common framework for patient rights and participation and help policymakers incorporate patient concerns more systematically into healthcare decisions.
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