Perils of the Commercialised Private Healthcare Sector for Patients: Analysis of Patients’ Experiences from COVID-19 Pandemic in Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Although the ramifications of a weakly regulated, commercialised private sector have always been prevalent, the COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed its magnitude and implications for patients in India. Although much is being studied about the health system’s response to the pandemic, the recipient of the system, that is, the patient seems to be less attended in analysis. This article analyses patients’ experiences while seeking healthcare from the private sector in the context of state-imposed regulations over them during the pandemic. A qualitative study was conducted in Maharashtra, India and 30 in-depth interviews of patients who faced difficulties in availing treatment from private hospitals during the pandemic were conducted using purposive sampling. The study reveals the myriad of catastrophic challenges patients faced, their vulnerability and helplessness with private hospitals during the pandemic. It demonstrates the character of ruthless privatisation that operates in health care with rampant overcharging and the failure of regulation of the private sector during the crisis. The study concludes by pointing out the need for state intervention in the regulation of the private sector and emphasises the need to strengthen the public health system and place effective accountability mechanisms with the legal instrument to safeguard people’s interests from corporate privatisation.