Ipsos Quality of Care Perception Index 2026 – India 3rd among 32 countries (joint with Singapore); Malaysia tops

21-10-2026 · English

Topics: Health · 21 October 2026 Current Affairs (UPSC / TNPSC / SSC / RRB)

News

In the 'Quality of Care Perception Index' of the 'Ipsos Health Service Report 2026', released on 16 Oct 2026 by the Paris-based market-research firm Ipsos, India ranked 3rd among 32 countries, jointly with Singapore; Malaysia topped (72%) and Hungary was last (28%). 68% of Indians rated healthcare quality positively; 64% expressed trust; 73% found it easy to get a doctor's appointment – the highest of the 32 countries. But 42% named treatment cost as a major problem and 74% said many cannot afford good care. It is an online survey (13 Jul – 7 Aug 2026); the Indian sample is more urban and educated than the general population.

Key facts

Background

• Global trend: across 32 countries, mental health is seen as the biggest health problem (average 48%; top since 2023), followed by cancer (40%), stress (32%) and obesity (25%).
• Constitution: 'Public health and sanitation; hospitals and dispensaries' – Entry 6, State List, Seventh Schedule. Article 47 – raising nutrition, the standard of living and improving public health is a primary duty of the State (DPSP). The SC has read the right to health into Article 21 (Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity, 1996).
• Central schemes: National Rural Health Mission (2005) + National Urban Health Mission (2013) = National Health Mission (NHM, 2013). Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) was launched at Ranchi on 23 Sep 2018; ₹5 lakh cover per family per year; implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA). National Health Policy 2017.
• Economy: the key challenge shown is out-of-pocket expenditure on health. 70% said people often rely on over-the-counter medicines or home remedies without medical advice. Note: it is a perception survey, not a measure of health outcomes (life expectancy, infant mortality).

Tamil Nadu link: 'Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam' (Healthcare at People's Doorstep) was launched on 5 Aug 2021 in Krishnagiri district – doorstep medicines for hypertension and diabetes and physiotherapy for those above 45; it has reached over 2 crore people. It won Tamil Nadu's Health Department the 2024 UN Inter-Agency Task Force (UNIATF) award on prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. The Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme also operates in the State.

Source: Ipsos India (16 Oct 2026); Ipsos Health Service Report 2026; Media Infoline; TNPSC Thervupettagam (Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam)

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