The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.8 focuses on universal health coverage (UHC). The UHC Service Coverage Index (SCI) is measured on a scale of 0–100. According to WHO/World Bank 2023 data, which of the following statements about India's UHC progress is MOST accurate?

• A India's UHC SCI is approximately 61, with financial protection remaining the largest gap ✓
• B India's UHC SCI score is 90, well above the global average
• C India achieved UHC SCI of 75 following Ayushman Bharat implementation
• D India's SCI is not measured as it lacks representative health survey data

Explanation

According to WHO/World Bank Universal Health Coverage Index 2023 Report, India's UHC Service Coverage Index is approximately 61 out of 100 (global average ~68). While service coverage (tracer services across reproductive health, maternal-child health, infectious diseases, NCDs) has improved, India faces a significant financial protection gap: approximately 55 million people are pushed into poverty annually due to out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenditure, and OOP spending constitutes ~50% of total health expenditure. Ayushman Bharat has expanded coverage but primarily for hospitalization in BPL families, leaving large OOP gaps for outpatient and medicines.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

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