Health groups oppose MP plan to privatise 18 community health centres

By A Representative 

A coalition of health professionals, workers and public health organisations under the banner United Organisations for Action Against Privatisation of Health Services, Madhya Pradesh has strongly opposed the Madhya Pradesh government's reported decision to hand over 18 Community Health Centres (CHCs) in the districts of Rewa, Dewas and Guna to private institutions.

In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister and the Health Minister on Saturday, the coalition demanded the immediate withdrawal of the proposed privatisation, arguing that the move would weaken rather than strengthen the state's public healthcare system.

The organisations stated that instead of addressing long-standing deficiencies in healthcare infrastructure and staffing, the government was shifting its constitutional responsibility to private entities. They maintained that healthcare is a public service and should not be driven by commercial interests.

The memorandum cited previous attempts at privatisation in Madhya Pradesh, including the private management of the District Hospital in Alirajpur and the Community Health Centre in Jobat in 2015, which it said failed and had to be withdrawn. It also referred to the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog)'s proposal to privatise district hospitals in 2020–21, which did not proceed following widespread opposition. Similar proposals in Madhya Pradesh during 2024–25 also faced resistance from doctors, healthcare workers and civil society organisations, the memorandum noted.

The campaign argued that the state's healthcare challenges stem from inadequate public investment, shortages of health facilities and a large number of vacant medical posts rather than the absence of private participation. Referring to the Rural Health Statistics 2021–22, the memorandum said Madhya Pradesh faces a shortfall of 4,134 Sub-Health Centres, 1,045 Primary Health Centres and 245 Community Health Centres.

It also cited the Annual Report 2025–26 of the Madhya Pradesh Public Health and Medical Education Department, which states that the state has 55 district hospitals, 51 trauma centres, 158 civil hospitals, 348 Community Health Centres, 1,442 Primary Health Centres, 10,256 Sub-Health Centres and five polyclinics. However, the report highlights significant vacancies, including 3,698 of 5,543 specialist doctor posts, 2,689 of 6,513 medical officer posts and 481 of 728 dental medical officer posts.

According to the campaign, these shortages continue to undermine access to quality healthcare, particularly in rural areas. It also noted that Madhya Pradesh's infant mortality rate remains above the national average, attributing this to inadequate public health infrastructure, shortages of specialist doctors and limited access to quality maternal and child healthcare.

The organisations argued that the proposed privatisation runs counter to the constitutional obligation of the state to protect public health. They pointed to Article 21 of the Constitution, under which the right to health has been interpreted as part of the right to life, and Article 47, which directs the state to improve public health.

The coalition has called on the government to withdraw the privatisation proposal, fill all vacant posts in the Health Department and government medical colleges through regular recruitment, upgrade health facilities in accordance with Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS), substantially increase public health spending and ensure that major healthcare policy decisions are taken only after consultations with health experts, doctors' associations, healthcare workers and people's organisations.

The memorandum was endorsed by several organisations, including the Chikitsa Shiksha Mahasangh, Madhya Pradesh Medical Teachers Association (MPMTA), Government Autonomous Chikitsa Shiksha Mahasangh, Madhya Pradesh Medical Officers Association (MPMOA), ESI, Madhya Pradesh Junior Doctors Association, Madhya Pradesh Nursing Officers Association, Madhya Pradesh Contract Doctors Association, Madhya Pradesh ASHA/USHA Sahayogini Shramik Sangh, and Jan Swasthya Abhiyan Madhya Pradesh and JSA India.