AA

Aditya Agarwal· 2024

Question Q16Discuss the role of the public and private sectors in ensuring adequate health access and outcomes across rural and urban areas.GS2GS2

भारत में स्वास्थ्य समानता को बाधा पहुंचाने वाले कारकों का विश्लेषण करें। इस संदर्भ में, सार्वजनिक और निजी क्षेत्रों की भूमिका को समझाते हुए पर्याप्त स्वास्थ्य प्रवेश और परिणाम प्राप्त करने की चुनौतियों पर चर्चा करें। (250 शब्द, 15 अंक) / The persistent health equity challenges in India pose a critical barrier in achieving Universal Health Coverage. In this context discuss the role of the public and private sectors in ensuring adequate health access and outcomes across rural and urban areas. (250 words, 15 marks)

Open scan (p.37)

Introduction

Universal Health Coverage refers to the provision of quality, affordable, accessible healthcare to all the citizens.

16 words

Main Body

Right to health forms an important part of right to life (Article 21).

Persistent health equity challenges:

Low availability of healthcare institutions in rural and remote areas.
High cost of private medical services.
Poor quality of healthcare infrastructure.
Low focus on mental health.

(Eg: 0.75 psychiatrist per lakh population (WHO recommends 3/lakh))

Low number of healthcare professionals - doctors, nurses.
Poor access by lower income strata.

Role of Public Sector in Healthcare:

i) Ensuring access to healthcare in rural areas - setting up of primary health institution. (Eg) Aarogya Mandirs.

ii) Affordable secondary and tertiary healthcare. (Eg) PM-Ayushman Bharat - providing treatment upto ₹5 lakhs.

iii) Preventive healthcare facilities - Vaccination. (Eg) Mission Indradhanush.

iv) Mental healthcare services. (Eg) Mental Health Policy - Manodarpan Initiative.

v) Health services in case of epidemics, pandemics and disaster. - Under Disaster Management Act.

vi) Promotion of healthy diets and lifestyle. (Eg) Millets (native, khelo India, Fit India movement).

Role of Private Sector in Healthcare:

To provide high quality health services.
Mostly situated in urban areas and tier-II cities.
Provide alternate options of healthcare to citizen.
Research and development in new drugs and diagnostics.
Provide diagnostic services.

Further steps that can be taken:

Insurance facility for healthcare to be made more accessible and affordable.
Right to health to be made an Act similar to Rajasthan Government efforts.
Regulating of private sector on oversight.
Generic medicine at clinics - provide under.

Healthcare facilities are necessary to productive functioning of the citizen and need effort of both public and private sector. To reap demographic dividend, a healthy and productive citizenry is necessary.

281 words4 paragraphs15 bullet points

Conclusion

Healthcare facilities are necessary to productive functioning of the citizen and need effort of both public and private sector. To reap demographic dividend, a healthy and productive citizenry is necessary.

30 words

Diagram

Central bubble labeled 'persistent health equity challenges' with branches to: low availability of healthcare institutions in rural and remote areas, high cost of private medical services, poor quality of healthcare infrastructure, low focus on mental health, low number of healthcare professionals - doctors, nurses, poor access by lower income strata.

  • Clear identification of health equity challenges with specific data points
  • Reference to constitutional provision (Article 21)
  • Comprehensive list of factors affecting health coverage
  • Use of statistics to support arguments (0.75 psychiatrist per lakh)
  • Comprehensive coverage of public sector roles
  • Multiple relevant government schemes cited with examples
  • Well-structured list covering different aspects of healthcare
  • Links schemes to specific health issues
  • Addresses the role of private sector comprehensively
  • Suggests forward-looking steps for improvement
  • Concludes with holistic vision connecting healthcare to demographic dividend
  • Acknowledges need for synergy between public and private sectors

Topper

Aditya Agarwal

2024

Subject & Paper

GS2GS2

Topic

Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services

Development and Management of Health Services

Health Equity Challenges and Universal Health Coverage

Writing Stats

327

Total words

4

Paragraphs

15

Bullets

Prescriptive and forward-looking

Tone