Isn't the Indian catastrophe due, in part, to Modi's destruction of universal health care. Or at least to the decision of wealthier Indians to abandon the public sector and seek private answers to health problems? The way the health care system has been described by those in the know over the last few days suggests it is like the Victorian 'health care' system in Britain. Harley Street for the very rich and Poor Law hospitals (ie places to die in dirt and filth) for the bulk of the population. And very little in terms of front-line services.
That has always been the case. The segmentation of the healthcare has existed ever since India got independence in 1947. The rich and the elite fly to the private hospitals while the middle class go to a general healthcare multispeciality ward and the lower class flock to the govt hospitals. That came up earlier because of the special care the people got earlier. Over the period of 50-60 years since then, the difference had been widening up a point that in the 2000s, it was a phrase on the streets that if you go to a govt. hospital, they are likely to auction one of your kidneys in the black market and you wouldnt even know about it. This discouraged the common public from seeking the care they deserved and needed because of this stigma.
Some states have been proactive in this regard to increase the attractiveness of the govt hospitals. My homestate are one of the forerunners in this regard. Since 2005, there has been a conscious effort to make people believe in govt facilities again. Some surgeries of the extreme and rare nature are only being carried out in the govt hospitals. It doesnt matter how rich you are. My parents got their covid vaccinations done in the beginning of March and my dad clicked a couple of pictures of the hospital interiors and the wards and rooms. They were as they would be at a hospital in Germany or US. And thats a govt. hospital. The doctors and nurses there were professional, courteous and took great care of all those they attended to - even those who walked in without a prior appointment.
I dont think he has been dismantling the healthcare the way the media has shown him to be. But he did remove some of the restrictions on this regard that made it easier for private hospitals to deny treatment if the patient cannot afford it. But on the other side, no patient can ever be denied treatment with a govt. hospital. No matter what the illness. So yeah he did create some enemies on that regard because of the stigma associated with private and govt hospitals as people thought they would be denied quality healthcare. But only half of it was true.
I wonder if Covid will arouse the Indian democracy to act like a democracy after this is all over? The free-market, uber-capitalist, nationalist, racist, caste-conscious and mafia-like model of governance of Modi (am I being unfair?) has clearly shown to be lacking in the last few months.
Thats a fair evaluation of his governance as far as the capitalist/nationalist/free market is concerned. mafia? I am not sure. The cadres of his party have been known to be goons and thugs, if that makes sense. So many people think thats how they operate. And in some cases they do. But it cannot be denied that the critisism of certain India-first policies have been unfair at best and unnecessary at worst. Apple and Samsung opened their smartphone manufacturing plants in India after his Make in India initiative. Various car manufacturers have setup shops domestically. Suppliers export Made in India products to SE Asia in the Automotive and Shipping industries. So there has been a lot more progress than he gets the credit for.
His domestic policies have been appaling at best. His Hindi as a national language fiasco (India does NOT have a national language. It has 16 official languages), demonitization, Citizens register, farmers protest have all been pathetically handled. While he might've had good intentions with some of them, they surely didnt translate well into real life and most certainly did not help to abate people's genuine fears and/or concerns. If I a PR for this govt. I would be questioning my life choices by now. What good is a policy, if its not communicated properly and efficiently especially when you know you need people's support? I guess what I am trying to say is, for India economically, he has been decent. I would give him a B- strictly because of my association with Automotive and Manufacturing industry. Domestic policies is a unquestionable D- because the mentioned reasons and I feel I am being generous.
Let's hope the good folks of India are seeing the light now.
In the meantime the UK should help all it can, regardless of the hopeless heap of shite in charge.
I hope so too mate. I hope so too.