Quality of Reproductive and Child Health Care in the Private Sector in India: Issues and Options

High health needs and limited government provision has led to a mixed health care market in India with high use of private sector for maternal child health care. Paper discusses quality of care issues in the private sector and explores possible interventions to improve the quality of care in the private sector. It utilizes secondary data from demographic surveys and literature review. SWOT analysis is done and systems framework with elements of inputs, process and output/outcome is used to present observations. Inputs include infrastructure, manpower, drugs, equipment, and process relates to appropriateness, safety, effectiveness and timeliness of interventions and output/outcomes relate to cure from disease and patient satisfaction. Variation in the format of practice is great while lack of adequate infrastructure, unavailability of qualified support staff, and discrepancies between provider knowledge and practice affects quality of care in the formal private sector. Private sector is geographically more accessible and is perceived to be of better quality by clients. Lack of guidelines and knowledge regarding clinical protocols lowers quality of care and raises cost of care in the private sector. Improving quality of care in the private sector requires strong regulations and coalition involving civic society and professional organizations.