- A Lancet report highlights that India's path to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) requires stronger institutional accountability and increased public health expenditure. - The report emphasizes the need to mitigate the adverse impacts of healthcare marketisation and expand grassroots public health infrastructure. - Accountability mechanisms are critical for ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare across diverse socioeconomic groups. - **Universal Health Coverage (UHC):** A healthcare system model where all individuals and communities receive the essential health services they need without experiencing financial hardship, combining public financing and robust regulation. - **Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE):** Direct payments made by individuals at the time of healthcare delivery using personal income or savings, without third-party reimbursement, which drives millions into poverty. - **National Health Policy (NHP) 2017:** A comprehensive global policy document outlining India's target to achieve universal healthcare access, preventive care, and raise public health expenditure to 2.5% of GDP. **Introduction** A recent Lancet report underscores that India's journey toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) necessitates rigorous accountability frameworks, higher public spending on health, and robust regulatory oversight to counter the commercialisation of healthcare services. **Core Issue and Detailed Points** - A Lancet report highlights that India's path to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) requires stronger institutional accountability and increased public health expenditure. - The report emphasizes the need to mitigate the adverse impacts of healthcare marketisation and expand grassroots public health infrastructure. - Accountability mechanisms are critical for ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare across diverse socioeconomic groups. **Key Statutory Bodies, Acts & Concepts** - **Universal Health Coverage (UHC):** A healthcare system model where all individuals and communities receive the essential health services they need without experiencing financial hardship, combining public financing and robust regulation. - **Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE):** Direct payments made by individuals at the time of healthcare delivery using personal income or savings, without third-party reimbursement, which drives millions into poverty. - **National Health Policy (NHP) 2017:** A comprehensive global policy document outlining India's target to achieve universal healthcare access, preventive care, and raise public health expenditure to 2.5% of GDP.