Conceptualizing health policy.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of the Government of India released in September 2001 a draft for the National Health Policy of India. This was followed by several articles which discussed various issues presented in the draft health policy. Subsequently, with some modifications, the National Health Policy of India was released in May 2002. What seemed to be missing in this entire process was a substantial discussion about the conceptual basis of the fundamental elements that need to be taken into account for developing a comprehensive and long term health policy for the nation. This paper outlines an approach to conceptualizing health policy for India. There would, of course, be other approaches for this conceptualization. This paper aims to stimulate further debate on the conceptual basis of health policy in India, which could form a strong foundation for a more informed analysis of and linkage between the specific issues in the health policy of India. This would faclitate a long term view of what the health policy of India could achieve for the benefit of all segments of our society.