Health as Freedom: Applying the Capability Approach to Health in India

Sanchita Chakrabarti

Affiliations:

Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Hooghly Women’s College, West Bengal, INDIA

In India health inequity is a major concern which has its root in the systemic inequalities that exist in the form of socio economic and political factors. In health literature inequities in health have largely been addressed from the inadequacies in the health system. This article looks at health from the social justice framework through the lens of the Capability Approach. Capability Approach puts forward substantive freedom that individuals needs in order to achieve well-being. Health is viewed as means and also as an end and is an important aspect of well-being as it helps to develop other capabilities. Since independence India has spoken of health equity in all its policy documents. Despite several achievements in terms of health indicators, stark health inequity continues to grip India’s health system. Inequities exist in the form of accessibility and affordability of health cutting across caste, class, gender and region. The article puts forward that in order to achieve equitable health for all it is necessary to make accessible the central health capabilities in order to achieve health functionings and thereby attain freedom. Health policies need to widen its scope to look beyond healthcare delivery and look at health as a means as well as an end to achieve freedom to attain a flourishing life.

Keywords:
Health, Freedom, Inequality,Capability

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