Syllabus: GS-I
Subject: Society and Social Justice
Topic: Social Sector-Health
Issue: Approach to public health in India
Approach to public health in India:
- Two main political parties in India treat health either as public good as citizen’s right or a commodity provided through public private partnership.
- Both approach find reflection in – National Rural Health Mission, National Medical Commission, Strengthened rural health infrastructure with capital investment, Social health insurance , National Health Authority , expansion of medical college
- Key concerns– Week primary and secondary health infrastructure, shortage of human resource
What India should do to reform its health system?
- Strengthening primary health: care is crucial for integrating community surveillance, demographic data, and disease profiles.
- Mapping and accrediting health facilities: expand access points and increase accountability through service packages.
- Coordination and capacity building: at the local level to regulate patient flows and ensure continuity of care.
- Successful examples like Thailand’s Universal Health Coverage emphasize planned strategies and strong HR policies.
- Establishing IT and monitoring systems linked to financing improves efficiency and outcomes within a decentralized, accountable framework.
