State Comparison in Healthcare: How India’s Regions Differ in Physiotherapy Access and Outcomes

When it comes to state comparison, the variation in healthcare access across India’s 28 states and 8 union territories. Also known as regional health disparities, it’s not just about hospitals—it’s about whether you can get a physiotherapist within a reasonable distance, afford rehab after surgery, or even find someone trained in modern techniques. In Maharashtra or Tamil Nadu, you might walk into a clinic with ultrasound machines and certified therapists. In Bihar or Jharkhand, the nearest physiotherapist could be 100 kilometers away, if they exist at all.

This isn’t just about location. It’s about rehabilitation services, the structured programs that help people recover from injury, surgery, or chronic pain. Also known as physical therapy access, these services depend on funding, training, and policy. States like Kerala and Karnataka have public health programs that include physiotherapy in primary care. Others rely entirely on private clinics, making treatment unaffordable for most. The healthcare in India, the patchwork of public and private systems that determine who gets care and who doesn’t. Also known as medical infrastructure, it’s shaped by state budgets, doctor distribution, and even cultural attitudes toward movement and recovery.

Think about someone recovering from a knee replacement. In Delhi or Bangalore, they might get daily sessions, home visits, and progress tracking. In Odisha or Assam, they might get one session a week—if they can afford it—and no follow-up. That’s not just a difference in service. It’s a difference in recovery time, pain levels, and long-term mobility. And it’s not random. It’s tied to state-level policies, training centers for therapists, and whether physiotherapy is even recognized as essential care.

Some states have started linking rehab to public health schemes. Others still treat it as a luxury. The gap isn’t just between cities and villages—it’s between states. And if you’re trying to understand why recovery feels easier in one place and impossible in another, the answer often starts with a state comparison. What you’ll find in the posts below are real stories, data-backed insights, and practical comparisons that show exactly how where you live affects how well you heal.