“Winds of Change” tells us the story of Munni, a young girl in India, eagerly awaiting the birth of her baby brother. However, what should be a joyous occasion becomes a challenging ordeal as her family has to confront the harsh realities of a healthcare system that has been weakened by health insurance PPP where hospitals often illegally demand out-of-pocket payments for extra services that really need to be freely accessible.

The animation serves as a critical examination of how healthcare is increasingly treated as a commodity rather than a fundamental right in India. India’s healthcare system is an intricate blend of public health facilities and programmes, aiming to deliver universal preventative and curative health services at minimal or no cost to users.

This extensive network operates alongside a sizable “for-profit” private health sector, primarily situated in urban areas and functioning on a “fee-for-service” model. However, the “for-profit” private health facilities and increasingly public facilities in India are gaining a reputation for unethical practices and exploitation of patients. Instances include unjustified medical procedures, such as forced hysterectomies and unnecessary caesarean sections. Patients are often subjected to out-of-pocket payments, contrary to the expectation that the health insurance PPP would provide necessary procedures and services at no cost. The existing legal framework lacks strength; transparency is compromised, and regulatory mechanisms often fall short, contributing to an environment where illegality prevails over enforcement of rules.

The film not only provides a glimpse into this harsh reality through the eyes of a family welcoming a new member but also underscores the vital role of mobilising communities in resisting initiatives that compromise health and human rights in India and globally.

This animation is based on a case study by public health expert Sulakshana Nandi on the impact of private-public partnerships through publicly-funded health insurance schemes on women in India. The film and article are part of DAWN’s multimedia project “Old Dog, New Tricks: Neocolonialism & Public-Private Partnerships in the global South”, which highlights the effects of PPPs on women’s lives.