Health and Social Care are one of the main foundation pillars for the development of any nation, the others being food, shelter and economic safety.
While India is coming out of the shadows and developing it’s own identity on the world landscape yet we have miles to go to be seen as a strong social economy.
I feel the time has come to take elderly care on a serious note because by 2050 India will have a skewed population boom which could have one out of four people above the age of 60 years.
The only way to ensure necessary checks and balances is if the government defines critical Acts which could ensure a safe and professional service delivery for Aged Care.
Countries like UK, USA, Canada, Australia have well defined regulations and Acts which governs the well-being and rights of senior citizens. Though these guidelines have been evolved and fine tuned over the past few decades yet there is scope for improvement. Indian bureaucracy and the judiciary should review the best practices across the globe and develop country specific Acts and guidelines.
The Health and Social Care Act of United Kingdom can be referred as a beginning guide which could be then compared to the National Minimum Standards of United States or the Australian regulations.
Attaching the Health and Care Act for better reach and understanding.
The main purpose of the Health and Care Act is to establish a legislative framework that supports collaboration and partnership-working to integrate services for patients. Among a wide range of other measures, the Act also includes targeted changes to public health, social care and the oversight of quality and safety.
The document Health and Social Care Act can be downloaded here or can be accessed below