GS3 PYQ(Mains Answer Writing): Health care and Social Development | Indian Economy for UPSC CSE PDF Download

In order to enhance the prospects of social development, sound and adequate health care policies are needed particularly in the fields of geriatric and maternal health care. Discuss. (UPSC GS3 Mains)

Over the past decade, healthcare services available in India have increased dramatically. The doctorto-population ratio in India is 1:2148. The infant mortality rate is 64 per 1,000 live births. The overall mortality rate has declined from 27.4 in 1991 to 8 per 1,000 populations in 2002, and life expectancy at birth has increased from 37.2 years to 60.6 years over the same time period. India is going through a demographic transition with a fall in fertility rate and increase in life expectancy.
A positive side of this is rise in working class thereby decrease in dependency ratio. Soon, we will face another challenge with a rapid increase in the number of aged and the associated health and social issues, as large bulk of population will move from working ages to old ages, thereby increasing the old age dependency.
Need and significance of health care policies for social development of the nation 

• Health system strengthening: Important issues that the health systems must confront are lack of financial and material resources, health workforce issues and the stewardship challenge of implementing pro-equity health policies in a pluralistic environment. The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) launched by the Government of India is a leap forward in establishing effective integration and convergence of health services and affecting architectural correction in the health care delivery system in India. 
• Health promotion: Stopping the spread of STDs and HIV/AIDS, helping youth recognize the dangers of tobacco smoking and promoting physical activity. These are a few examples of behaviour change communication that focus on ways that encourage people to make healthy choices. 
• Public health policy: Identification of health objectives and targets is one of the more visible strategies to direct the activities of the health sector. In India, we need a road map to “better health for all” that can be used by states, communities, professional organizations and all sectors. 
• Living conditions: Safe drinking water and sanitation are critical determinants of health, which would directly contribute to 70-80% reduction in the burden of communicable diseases. 
• Urban planning: Provision of urban basic services like water supply, sewerage and solid waste management needs special attention. The Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission in 35 cities works to develop financially sustainable cities in line with the Millenium Development Goals, which needs to be expanded to cover the entire country. 
• Reducing the impact of climate change and disasters on health: Thermal extremes and weather disasters spread of vector-borne, food-borne and water-borne infections, food security and malnutrition and air quality with associated human health risks are the public health risks associated with climate change. India’s “National Action Plan on Climate Change” identifies eight core “national missions” through various ministries, focused on understanding climate change, energy efficiency, renewable energy and natural resource conservation.

Current health care policies related to geriatric and maternal health care 

• For Elderly people – Integrated Programme for Older Persons (IPOP): Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is a nodal agency for the welfare of elderly people. The main objective of the scheme is to improve the quality of life of older persons by providing basic amenities like shelter, food, medical care and entertainment opportunities, etc. – RashtriyaVayoshri Yojana (RVY): This scheme is run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. 
• This is a central sector scheme funded from the Senior Citizens’ Welfare Fund. Under the RVY scheme, aids and assistive living devices are provided to senior citizensbelonging to BPL category who suffer from age-related disabilities such as low vision, hearing impairment, loss of teeth and locomotor disabilities. 

Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS): 

• Under this scheme, financial assistance is provided to person of 60 years and above and belonging to family living below poverty line as per the criteria prescribed by Government of India. Central assistance of Rs 200 per month is provided to person in the age group of 60-79 years and Rs 500 per month to persons of 80 years and above. – Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana (VPBY): This scheme is run by the Ministry of Finance. 
• The Varishtha Pension Bima Yojana (VPBY) was first launched in 2003 and then relaunched in 2014. Both are social security schemes for senior citizens intended to give an assured minimum pension on a guaranteed minimum return on the subscription amount. – VayoshreshthaSamman: Conferred as a National award, and given to eminent senior citizens & institutions under various categories for their contributions on International day of older persons on 1st october. 
• For Maternal health care – LaQshya – Labour Room Quality Improvement Initiative: This program focuses on Public Health facilities to help. They will be assisted by helping them improve their maternity operation theatres, and help augment the quality of care in labour rooms. 
  • Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): This Maternity Benefit Program is implemented in all districts. On fulfilling certain conditions, the beneficiaries would receive Rs 5,000 in 3 instalments. Cash benefits would be directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. 
  • Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY): This scheme is completely sponsored by the Government of India. JananiSuraksha Yojana comes under the National Health Mission. 
  • Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA): This program was launched with the objective of detecting and treating cases of anaemia. 

Conclusion 
India has made striking progress in health standards in the post-independence era. Still, many feel that the budgetary resources for the health sector should be increased. International developments in information technology need to be utilized at the national level in an attempt for health data documentation.
The sustained efforts to control the country’s population and the political will to march towards the millennium development goals in health will help India to make a significant impact in the international health scene.