UPSC Mains 2020 GS2 Q6 — Health Care Policies
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. (Answer in 150 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Discuss
- Scope keywords
- enhance the prospects of social developmentsound and adequate health care policiesgeriatric health carematernal health care
- Implicit sub-parts
- The linkage between healthcare interventions and the broader goal of 'social development'.
- Analysis of existing policy gaps and requirements specifically for the elderly (geriatric).
- Analysis of remaining challenges in maternal health beyond just institutional deliveries.
- The socio-economic consequences of neglecting these two specific demographic ends.
- Common pitfalls
- Treating geriatric and maternal health as isolated medical issues rather than social development pillars.
- Focusing only on Child health (pediatrics) when the question specifically asks for Maternal health.
- Failing to mention specific schemes like PM-JAY or Janani Suraksha Yojana in the context of policy 'adequacy'.
- Neglecting the 'geriatric' aspect to focus entirely on the 'maternal' aspect due to more familiar content.
- Dimensions required
- Demographic Transition (Aging population)Gender Equity (Maternal mortality and empowerment)Economic Impact (Out-of-pocket expenditure and poverty cycles)Public Policy (Institutional frameworks and scheme efficacy)
- Marks allocation hint
Dedicate 30 words to the link between health and social development. Allocate 50 words each to the geriatric and maternal segments, focusing on 'policy adequacy'. Use the final 20 words for a forward-looking conclusion on integrated healthcare.
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