New Delhi, 29 April (H.S.): India's healthcare system has seen rapid improvements with significantly reduced treatment costs for households, according to the National Statistical Office's (NSO) 80th round survey report released Wednesday.

Public hospitals now offer much lower expenses—over half of inpatient cases averaged just ₹1,100 out-of-pocket, while many OPD services at health centers remain free, providing major relief to common citizens.

Health-seeking behavior has surged: rural ailing reports rose from 6.8% to 12.2%, urban from 9.1% to 14.9%. Rural public OPD utilization climbed from 28% (2014) to 35% (2025).

Government health insurance coverage expanded dramatically—rural from 12.9% to 45.5%, urban from 8.9% to 31.8%—easing burdens especially for the poor.

Maternal health advanced markedly, with institutional deliveries reaching 95.6% rural and 97.8% urban.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar