UPSC Mains 2015 GS2 Q12 — Public Health
Public health system has limitations in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that the private sector could help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives would you suggest? (Answer in 200 words)
Question Decoded — examiner's intent
- Directive verbs
- Do you thinksuggest
- Scope keywords
- Public health systemlimitationsuniversal health coverageprivate sectorbridging the gapviable alternatives
- Implicit sub-parts
- Analysis of specific structural/functional gaps in the public health system hindering UHC.
- Evaluation of the private sector's role in filling specific gaps like tertiary care, technology, and diagnostic infrastructure.
- Critical assessment of the risks of private-sector reliance, such as out-of-pocket expenditure and inequity.
- Identification of non-private/non-state alternatives like Community Based Health Insurance, NGOs, or the Co-operative model.
- Common pitfalls
- Spending too much time criticizing the public health system without addressing 'bridging the gap'.
- Providing a generic list of health problems (sanitation, nutrition) instead of focusing on the 'system' and 'coverage'.
- Failing to mention the regulatory role of the government when involving the private sector.
- Equating 'alternatives' only with PPP models rather than looking at community or cooperative-led models.
- Dimensions required
- Financial (affordability and insurance)Infrastructure (accessibility and reach)Regulatory (standards and quality control)Equity (rural-urban divide and marginalized sections)
- Marks allocation hint
Allocate 40-50 words to diagnose specific public sector limitations. Dedicate 70-80 words to the private sector's potential and its caveats. Use the remaining 70-80 words to propose diverse alternatives like the Kerala Model, cooperative health societies, and digital health interventions.
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