UPSC Mains 2021 GS2 Q6 — Public Health
"Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development." Analyze. (Answer in 150 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Analyze
- Scope keywords
- moral imperativeWelfare Stateprimary health structurenecessary preconditionsustainable development
- Implicit sub-parts
- How primary health care fulfills the ethical and constitutional obligations of a Welfare State (Article 47).
- How primary health acting as the 'first point of contact' prevents economic shocks and poverty traps (The Link to SDG 1 and 3).
- The role of preventive health in enhancing human capital and labor productivity as a driver of long-term economic growth.
- Challenges in the current primary health infrastructure that hinder these developmental outcomes.
- Common pitfalls
- Focusing too much on tertiary care/large hospitals (AIIMS) instead of sub-centers and PHCs.
- Defining 'Sustainable Development' only in environmental terms rather than the broader socio-economic SDGs.
- Treating the 'moral' and 'developmental' aspects as the same thing rather than two distinct logical pillars.
- Neglecting to mention the financial aspect, specifically Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) as a barrier to development.
- Dimensions required
- Constitutional/Legal (DPSPs)Socio-Economic (Human Capital)Macro-Economic (Productivity/Fiscal burden)Global Policy (SDGs/Universal Health Coverage)
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate 30-40 words to the 'moral imperative' aspect linked to the Welfare State. Use the bulk of the limit (80-90 words) to analyze the 'precondition for sustainable development' through the lenses of economic stability and human capital. Reserve the final 20-30 words for a way forward involving the National Health Policy goals.
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