A recently released National Statistical Office (NSO) 80th round survey on household health consumption reveals a concerning trend: only about 20% of patients in Maharashtra seek treatment in public hospitals. This makes the state one of the most skewed in terms of public-to-private healthcare dependence in India.
Despite being one of the country’s more affluent states—with over 30 government medical and dental colleges—Maharashtra shows a heavy tilt toward private healthcare. According to the data, 77% of hospitalisations occur in private facilities, while just 18.6% take place in public hospitals.
Dr. Abhay Shukla of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan (JSA) points out that this is the lowest public hospital utilisation rate in the country, calling it a reflection of “a failed policy of healthcare privatisation.”
How Maharashtra Compares with Other States
In contrast, several other Indian states demonstrate significantly higher reliance on public healthcare systems. Public hospitalisation rates stand at:
43% in Tamil Nadu
45.3% in Rajasthan
58.8% in West Bengal
64.7% in Goa
Meanwhile, the national average is 36.7%, highlighting how far Maharashtra lags behind.
Rising Cost of Private Healthcare
The survey also underscores a sharp rise in hospitalisation costs, particularly in the private sector. In rural Maharashtra, the average cost of private hospitalisation has reached ₹44,580, while urban patients pay an average of ₹67,831. When compared to the 2017–18 survey, the increase is striking. Rural hospitalisation costs have surged by 87%, rising from ₹23,821, while urban costs have jumped from ₹42,540.
Although cumulative inflation between 2018 and 2025 stands at approximately 43%, healthcare costs have risen at nearly double that rate. This indicates a steep and potentially unjustified escalation, largely attributed to inadequate regulation of private healthcare providers.
Out-of-Pocket Burden Remains High
Even public healthcare is not entirely free from financial strain. Patients continue to incur significant out-of-pocket expenses, especially for medicines and diagnostic tests.
Rural public hospitalisation costs average ₹8,080 (up from ₹5,606 in 2018)
Urban public hospitalisation costs average ₹8,364 (up from ₹7,189 in 2018)
These figures suggest that essential services, which are expected to be free in government facilities, often require private spending.
Health Insurance Schemes Fall Short
Government-backed health insurance schemes, such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and Maharashtra’s Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY), aim to provide coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per hospitalisation. However, the NSO data reveals a stark reality. The average hospitalisation cost across Maharashtra stands at ₹44,778, of which ₹40,495 is still paid out-of-pocket by patients. In effect, nearly 90% of healthcare expenses are borne directly by individuals, undermining the intended financial protection of these schemes.
A Call for Policy Reforms
The findings raise serious concerns about the state’s healthcare strategy. Despite the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic—during which Maharashtra recorded the highest number of deaths in India—public healthcare infrastructure remains underutilised and underdeveloped. Experts argue that the state must urgently expand its public healthcare system while simultaneously enforcing stricter regulation of private providers. Without these measures, healthcare will continue to remain inaccessible and unaffordable for a large section of the population.
Conclusion
As reported by msn.com, the NSO survey paints a clear picture: Maharashtra’s growing dependence on private healthcare, combined with rising costs and inadequate insurance coverage, has placed a heavy financial burden on patients. Strengthening public healthcare and improving regulatory oversight are no longer optional—they are essential for ensuring equitable and affordable healthcare access.