The NHS accounts for a very large chunk of revenue generation / expenditure / employment etc. Understandably, any shift in the paradigm of it' provision of services or reshaping its structure generates polarizing opinions.
With global economy in recession over the past few years, governments are struggling. The years of boom - nobody complained! Come the era of bust - every man and his dog are moaning! Some countries have taken the frugal route, tightening their belts. UK is feeling the pinch & tighten the belts they must. India is only just facing the music. Whether sound fiscal, economic and structural policies will be followed in the wake of the current economic crisis in India is a matter for another day!
Be it as it may, there's a lot that both countries can gain provided there are guaranteed quality and governance checks in the exchange of healthcare purchase/provision. The UK "suffers" from its adherence to rigorous processes - paradoxically, this is it's greatest strength as well (remember the Empire) - whilst India' "strength" (shuddering though I am at the use of this word!) is finding ways and means of bypassing any such processes! But, it is precisely this quality that has allowed us to perform even the most complex surgeries known in medicine at a fraction of the cost that is incurred in the developed world.
India' brain drain has been raised as a major contentious factor on both sides; but if applied intelligently, an exchange of healthcare personnel with safeguards in place for returning to their native countries after a tenure of training / experience, will benefit both countries enormously. There' an opportunity here for both countries - UK, in reducing it' healthcare expenditure and India in expanding it's doctors' training portfolios and increasing medical education capacity.
Will it happen? I guess, to some extent, yes. At least, I sincerely hope so!
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