Health Systems
Governance

Our work in Health Systems Governance (HSG) focuses on strengthening regulatory frameworks to create equitable, transparent and accountable healthcare systems. We recognize that power and information imbalances can exist between healthcare providers and patients, as well as between the health system and the community. To address these challenges, HSTP engages in evidence-based research, policy analysis and strategic advocacy to enhance health regulation. Our goal is to ensure that governance structures empower patients, improve provider accountability and promote inclusive decision-making for a more responsive and people-centered health system.

OUR WORK

Landscape Study on Health Regulation in India

To bridge the documentation gap in healthcare regulation, HSTP conducted a comprehensive review of India’s regulatory framework for healthcare delivery. The report, Regulation of Health Care Delivery in India – A Landscape Study, provides an in-depth analysis of central government regulations governing healthcare providers, facilities, supportive services, professional actions and responses to diseases and epidemics. It examines key regulatory aspects such as licensing, quality standards, pricing, patient rights and grievance mechanisms, highlighting both legal provisions and systemic challenges.

Exploratory Study on Home Healthcare

Home healthcare is an emerging yet underexplored domain within India’s healthcare system, growing rapidly in response to increasing demand but lacking comprehensive regulation and structured integration. Through our landscape study on healthcare regulation, HSTP identified the need for deeper insights into this evolving service model. To address this, we conducted an exploratory qualitative study titled Home Healthcare: Emerging Phenomenon in India, examining the organization, service types, provider characteristics, user profiles and provider-user interactions within home healthcare.

To foster dialogue on its role as an integrated service delivery model, HSTP shared the study’s findings in a webinar attended by nearly 90 participants including practitioners, researchers, students and academicians. The discussion featured expert panellists from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Kerala State Planning Board and HelpAge India, who provided insights on the potential and challenges of formalizing home healthcare in India. This study contributes to ongoing discussions on regulatory pathways and the future of home-based care in the country.

Resource Repository for Health Regulation and Governance

HSTP has developed a comprehensive repository of health legislations at the central government level, providing easy access to Acts, Rules, Schedules and Notifications related to healthcare regulation and governance. This curated resource serves as a one-stop reference for policymakers, researchers and other stakeholders, enabling them to navigate India’s regulatory landscape with ease.

Developing Standards for Home Healthcare

Expanding on our work in the home healthcare sector, HSTP conducted a comprehensive review of existing standards for providing home healthcare services in India. Through consultations with key stakeholders, we identified priority areas requiring standardization including individual service providers, home healthcare organizations, condition-specific care and households in need of these services. There was a clear consensus on the need to develop structured guidelines, which will be taken forward to strengthen regulatory frameworks and service quality. Building on insights from the study, HSTP developed a template to map home healthcare services across different regions (cities/states), develop provider profiles and assess current service delivery modes. We plan to pilot-test this template and make it publicly available for use by government bodies, researchers and industry stakeholders in improving access, quality and integration of home healthcare services in India.

Latest Updates

Guidance Document for Home Healthcare

To support the effective delivery of home-based care, HSTP developed a Guidance Document outlining best practices and key processes for delivering home-based care. This document also includes a template for formal contracts between service providers and recipients ensuring clarity and accountability in care delivery.

Policy Brief

Based on our study findings, we released a policy brief titled “Home Healthcare: A Timely Addition to Fill a Critical Gap in India’s Healthcare System,” which emphasizes the need to integrate home healthcare into the national health framework.

IEC materials on Home Healthcare

HSTP developed Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials to raise awareness among users, providers and the public. These materials provide guidance on home healthcare services, emphasize the importance of standardization for quality assurance and highlight the rights.

Role of Decentralisation of Health in India:

HSTP, in collaboration with Health Action by People (HAP), conducted a comprehensive study on Local Government and Health in Kerala to examine impact of decentralized governance on the state’s health sector. The study explored the historical evolution, key enablers and challenges of decentralization, assessing its impact on the health system. To further this, HSTP organized a two-day conference titled The Role of Decentralization in Health in India in New Delhi (February 27-28, 2023). The event brought together around 100 participants including policymakers, experts, elected officials, practitioners and researchers to discuss Kerala’s experience and reflect on urban primary healthcare models from cities like Bihar, Bengaluru, Bhubaneshwar, Chennai and Pimpri Chinchwad. The discussions provided valuable insights for strengthening decentralized healthcare governance across India.