The Emergence of Health Cooperatives: Experiences and Way Forward

Abstract

According to Global Healthcare Security Index 2021, India ranked 66 out of 195 countries, indicating the need and scope for improvement. The Cooperative healthcare system which has been rendering exemplary services is yet to gain visible recognition in India. Given the need for upgrading the health infrastructure in India and providing more affordable health services to the country’s growing population, it would help appreciate the large role that cooperative healthcare can play along with others. This study explores the structure, conduct, and performance of healthcare co-operatives in India, the factors contributing to their success and failure, and the challenges they face. The Health Cooperatives have a strong presence in Kerala and Karnataka and are also coming up in other parts of the country. However, a detailed database of them for public awareness is very limited. The cooperative hospitals can meet the basic requirements of curative treatment in rural and poorly-endowed urban areas. The democratic way in which they function makes them a destination for a financially weaker section. They must retain this feature. The study covers two successful cases which reveal that India needs a more dense healthcare cooperative network. Since cooperative hospitals in tune with the spirit of service run on the principle of being ‘Not-for-Profit’ they need to be supported by the governments more liberally, without however interfering with their governance and administration.

Citation

Dalwai, A., Singh, R., Khanna, V. and Rutuparna, S. (2023), "The Emergence of Health Cooperatives: Experiences and Way Forward", Tripathy, K.K., Kumari, S., Venkatesh, V.G., Jayalakshmi, R. and Sukumaran Nair, M.P. (Ed.) World Healthcare Cooperatives: Challenges and Opportunities, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 11-45. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80455-774-720231001