GS-2Editorials14 August 2026thehindu.com

Making transparency the foundation of trust in medicine

The article emphasizes the critical role of transparency in India's healthcare system to build and sustain public trust. It identifies three key areas for improvement: regulatory bodies (like State Medical Councils and NMC), clinical care systems (hospitals/clinics), and individual doctor-patient interactions. The author highlights challenges such as opaque regulatory portals, lack of clear communication on costs and grievances, and the absence of a formal 'Open Disclosure' culture. Proposed solutions include user-friendly digital registers, formalizing open disclosure, integrating transparency into medical training, and fostering shared decision-making to reduce mistrust and violence against healthcare workers.

The article emphasizes the critical role of transparency in India's healthcare system to build and sustain public trust. It identifies three key areas for improvement: regulatory bodies (like State Medical Councils and NMC), clinical care systems (hospitals/clinics), and individual doctor-patient interactions. The author highlights challenges such as opaque regulatory portals, lack of clear communication on costs and grievances, and the absence of a formal 'Open Disclosure' culture. Proposed solutions include user-friendly digital registers, formalizing open disclosure, integrating transparency into medical training, and fostering shared decision-making to reduce mistrust and violence against healthcare workers.

Exam linkage

GS Paper II: Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International Relations (specifically, issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health).

Syllabus mapping

Indian Polity & GovernanceConstitutional & Statutory BodiesIndian Culture Art ArchitectureModern Indian HistoryPost Independence ConsolidationWorld HistoryIndian Society Diversity

This topic appears in Mains

Questions on Indian Polity & Governance come up regularly in GS papers. Practice writing an answer — and see exactly what earns marks.

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