Uncovering Healthcare Issues in Nagpur: Barriers to Accessibility

thenewsdirt
Jan 15
5 min read

Nagpur is battling with a labyrinth of healthcare challenges that impact the lives of its residents every day.

This is not the narrative of a city failing to grow; it is a complex web of disparities, hurdles, and systemic gaps that quietly shapes the health outcomes of millions.

Urban-Rural Divide: Contrasts in Healthcare

A Cheap Hospital Room vs An Expensive Hospital Room

The healthcare accessibility gap between urban and rural Nagpur is stark, a visible contrast between availability and scarcity.

The city boasts an array of super-speciality hospitals and state-of-the-art facilities, attracting patients from surrounding regions and neighbouring states. However, the outskirts of Nagpur and its rural hinterlands tell a different story.

In 2024, The Satsang Foundation and Shalinitai Meghe Hospital & Research Centre launched a mobile medical unit targeting remote areas around Nagpur.

This initiative was designed to address the severe shortage of basic healthcare facilities in villages where primary health centres (PHCs) are often understaffed or poorly equipped.

The disparity is glaring; in some areas, a single doctor caters to over 30,000 people, as highlighted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report from December 2024.

Even when rural residents can afford treatment, geographical barriers such as inadequate transport infrastructure hinder timely access to urban hospitals.

These delays, particularly in emergencies, often mean the difference between life and death.

A Shortage of Healthcare Professionals

Shortage of Healthcare Professionals in Nagpur

Nagpur's healthcare infrastructure suffers from a chronic lack of trained medical personnel.

The CAG report from late 2024 revealed that Vidarbha, the region encompassing Nagpur, faces the worst shortage of doctors and paramedics in Maharashtra, with gaps of 25% and 30% respectively.

This deficit is particularly critical in government-run hospitals, where the demand for affordable treatment far outstrips supply.

Overburdened medical staff often work under immense pressure, leading to burnout and reduced quality of care. The shortage is not limited to rural areas; urban centres also feel the strain, with patients frequently experiencing long wait times for consultations and essential procedures.

For many residents of Nagpur, the financial burden of healthcare is a major obstacle. While the Maharashtra Government introduced free healthcare at public hospitals in 2024, many patients prefer private institutions due to perceived higher standards of care. However, these services come at a steep price.

Diagnostic tests in private labs often cost thousands of rupees, forcing families to dip into savings or incur debt.

Daily wage earners and factory workers are particularly vulnerable, with even routine medical expenses stretching their limited resources.

Though Shalinitai Meghe Hospital & Research Centre joined the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme (ESIS) in 2024, enabling subsidised care for industrial workers, the reach of such initiatives remains limited.

Mental Health and Disabilities: A Growing Concern

Mental Health and Disability Healthcare Concerns in Nagpur

Mental health services in Nagpur have long been insufficient to meet the needs of the population.

In 2024, Maharashtra launched the second phase of the National Mental Health Survey (NMHS-2) to map the prevalence of mental illnesses and evaluate the effectiveness of current programmes. This effort comes in response to a growing recognition of the mental health burden, yet services remain critically under-resourced.

The stigma surrounding mental health compounds the issue, with many individuals reluctant to seek professional help. Psychiatric facilities and trained professionals are scarce, particularly in rural areas.

For those who do seek assistance, the lack of mental health infrastructure often means long travel distances and significant wait times.

Healthcare facilities in Nagpur struggle to meet the needs of persons with disabilities (PwDs), exposing another layer of systemic inequity.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a study by Academia revealed the glaring inadequacies in making healthcare accessible for PwDs in the region.

Basic amenities such as ramps, elevators, and accessible washrooms are absent in many public hospitals, creating physical barriers to care.

Communication gaps further marginalise this group. Hospitals and clinics often lack resources to provide information in formats accessible to those with hearing or visual impairments, leaving them excluded from essential services. This exclusion reflects a broader societal indifference to the needs of individuals living with disabilities.

Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) play a crucial role in providing affordable healthcare, yet they remain underutilised due to systemic inefficiencies.

The Asian Development Bank report from 2024 highlighted significant challenges, including limited working hours, outdated equipment, and staff shortages. Public trust in these centres has waned, driving patients toward private hospitals.

Efforts to revitalise UPHCs, such as the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) tools for diagnostics by Tata Trusts, have shown promise but require broader implementation.

The underperformance of UPHCs places additional pressure on private institutions, further exacerbating healthcare inequities in the city.

Challenges Faced by Women and Migrant Workers

Healthcare access for women in Nagpur is shaped by socio-cultural and economic barriers. Maternal healthcare, though improving, remains inconsistent, particularly in rural pockets.

Limited availability of female healthcare providers discourages women from seeking timely care, especially for gynaecological issues. Cultural taboos and restricted decision-making power further complicate matters.

Maternal mortality rates in parts of the district reflect these challenges. A lack of adequate prenatal and postnatal care continues to jeopardise the health of mothers and newborns.

Government schemes aimed at improving maternal health have made some headway, but significant gaps remain in implementation and outreach.

Nagpur’s industries attract a significant migrant workforce, many of whom face considerable barriers to accessing medical services.

Without permanent addresses, migrant labourers are often excluded from government health schemes. Additionally, language barriers and limited awareness of available resources further alienate this group.

Living in cramped quarters, these workers are at high risk for communicable diseases. During the COVID-19 pandemic, migrant workers in Nagpur faced significant challenges in accessing testing and treatment, exposing the fragility of the systems meant to protect them.

Infrastructure Bottlenecks

Nagpur’s healthcare infrastructure, though advanced in urban areas, remains insufficient to meet the needs of its growing population. Government hospitals are often overcrowded, with long queues for outpatient services and limited availability of inpatient beds.

According to the Nagpur District Government, the doctor-patient ratio in these facilities is far below the recommended standards.

The situation is particularly dire in rural areas, where basic diagnostic facilities and pharmacies are scarce. Poor road connectivity delays access to emergency services, compounding the challenges faced by residents in these regions.

Technological advancements in healthcare, such as telemedicine, hold immense potential to address accessibility challenges. AIIMS Nagpur’s hosting of NAPTICON 2024 highlighted the transformative role of artificial intelligence in diagnostics and treatment planning. However, the benefits of these technologies remain out of reach for many.

The digital divide in rural Nagpur is a significant barrier. Poor internet connectivity and limited access to smartphones prevent teleconsultations from reaching those who need them most. Additionally, older populations often struggle to adapt to these new technologies, leaving a large section of society underserved.

Nagpur’s healthcare system tells a story of contrasts. While the city grows as a medical hub with modern hospitals and advanced technology, many people still face hurdles in accessing the care they need.

Economic hardships, shortages of medical staff, and outdated infrastructure create challenges for those who need help the most.

The reality of healthcare in Nagpur is a mix of progress and struggles. For every success, there are hidden stories of people fighting to access basic services.

As the city continues to develop, addressing these issues will be key to building a future where healthcare truly reaches everyone.