Role of the Government in Health - Long Answer Questions
It means our ability to remain free of illness and injuries. But it also includes clean water, pollution-free environment, and mental well-being (stress-free).
1. Public Health Services (Run by Government). 2. Private Health Facilities (Run by individuals/companies for profit).
The government, using taxes paid by the public. It is a chain of health centres and hospitals linked together.
PHC: Primary Health Centre (Village level). CHC: Community Health Centre (Block level).
Public: Low cost or free. Private: High cost, expensive medicines.
A member of PBKMS (West Bengal agricultural labourers). He fell from a train and had head injuries. 8 government hospitals refused him admission (no bed/equipment). He had to go to a private hospital and spent a lot. He sued the government.
The court said Article 21 (Right to Life) implies right to health. The government failed its duty. It had to reimburse Hakim Sheik's expenses.
Considered the healthiest country in Central America. They decided not to have an army. They spent that money on health, education, and basic needs.
Out Patient Department. Where patients are first brought in a hospital before being admitted to a ward.
Diseases that spread from one person to another via water, food, or air (e.g., Diarrhoea, Worms, Hepatitis, TB, Malaria).
Government uses tax money to provide public services (defense, police, judicial, highways) and developmental programmes (education, health).
Urban-rural divide (doctors prefer cities). Long queues in public hospitals. Expensive private care pushes poor into poverty.
Only 20% of the population can afford all the medicines that they require during an illness.
To provide quality healthcare services to all its citizens, especially the poor and the disadvantaged.
Ranjan (rich) went to a private hospital (fancy, quick, expensive). Aman (poor) went to a govt hospital (long wait, dirty, cheap/free).
Malnutrition (not enough food), lack of clean drinking water, unhygienic surroundings.
Medicines sold by chemical name, not brand name. They are much cheaper but equally effective.
Public: Service/Welfare. Private: Profit.
The state gave 40% of the budget to panchayats. They planned water, food, women's development and education effectively. Health centers improved.
Foreigners coming to India specifically for medical treatment at world-class hospitals for lower costs than their home country.
Role of the Government in Health - Important Facts
India produces the largest number of doctors.
Approx 30,000 new doctors qualify every year.
India is the fourth largest producer of medicines.
Half of Indian children are malnourished.
TB kills 5 lakh people every year.
Malaria cases are 2 million per year.
Clean drinking water prevents 21% of diseases.
Public health system is meant for everyone.
Private health facilities are not controlled by govt.
Private sector is dominant in India.
Medical Council of India Code of Ethics.
Prescribe generic names where possible.
Article 21 is Right to Life.
Hakim Sheik filed a case in court.
PBKMS stands for Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity.
Govt hospitals often face shortage of staff.
RMP stands for Registered Medical Practitioner (Rural).
Urban areas have specialized doctors.
Private hospitals have better labs.
Expensive treatment causes debt.
40% of admitted patients borrow money.
Poor people are more prone to illness.
Women's health is often neglected.
Tribal areas have few health centres.
Costa Rica is in Central America.
Costa Rica has no army.
Sanitation is key to health.
Safe housing impacts health.
Preventive healthcare is vaccinations.
Curative healthcare is treatment.
Mobile medical vans exist.
Anganwadis work as rural child care centres.
ASHA workers helps in village health.
Sub-centre covers a few villages.
District Hospital supervises PHCs.
UNICEF works for children's health.
WHO is World Health Organization.
Pulse Polio campaign eradicates polio.
ORS saves lives in diarrhoea.
Adequate nutrition is a right.
Water borne diseases are common.
Hepatitis affects the liver.
Chikungunya is spread by mosquitoes.
Dengue is spread by mosquitoes.
Swine flu is a viral disease.
Mental health is part of health.
Stress affects physical health.
Clean environment is a right.
Role of the Government in Health - Important Dates/Terms
Kerala decentralization budget
Hakim Sheik accident