That health care facilities available to the poor are insufficient is common knowledge. According to a recent report of the Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry of India (assocham), 1,083 family welfare centres fail to provide health care to the 180 million urban poor, with the shortfall being more for curative care. But why is an industry body totting up health care figures. The report makes it clear why. "Big corporate houses can adopt an urban health centre and provide all necessary medical facilities' and "Pharmaceutical companies could play a part by supplying medicines and other essential items at concessions', are some of its recommendations.

The report suggests that private practitioners should bolster up existing infrastructure. Public-private partnership models can be used and industry can also make this a part of its corporate social responsibility ventures.

But public health experts are sceptical about the move. "The private sector seems to be willing to take over just a few centres thus further deteriorating the public health care system. If industry really wants to help, it should put its money into strengthening the overall public system,' says Ritu Priya, Centre of Social Medicine and Community Health, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

Privatisation has already made inroads in the country's health care system. Patients availing of social insurance programmes