The system
- Sub-centre → PHC → CHC → District Hospital.
- Health & Wellness Centres (1.6 lakh+) under Ayushman Bharat.
- PM-JAY — ₹5 lakh cover, ~55 crore beneficiaries.
Financing & workforce
- OOP ~39.4% of THE (NHA 2019-20).
- Doctor-to-population improved to 1:834 (near WHO norm).
- Nurses & allied workforce remain thin — especially in Bihar, UP, MP.
Contemporary challenges
- Double burden of NCDs + infectious diseases.
- Antimicrobial resistance — India's National Action Plan.
- Air pollution as public health emergency (LANCET burden studies).
Reforms
- Move to strategic purchasing (single-payer for chronic care).
- Public Health Cadre — MoHFW 2022 guidelines.
- Digital health via ABDM; data-driven district-level planning.
Common Pitfalls
- Do not confuse health financing with health spending; distinguish input from outcome metrics.
FAQs
- Best global benchmark?
- 'India spends less on public health than most lower-middle-income countries — WHO NHA global comparison.'
UPSC Mains PYQs on this microtheme
- In a crucial domain like the public healthcare system, the Indian State should play a vital role to contain the adverse impact of marketisation of the system. Suggest some measures through which the State can enhance the reach of public healthcare at the grassroots level.📅 2024 · 📌 15
- “Besides being a moral imperative of a Welfare State, primary health structure is a necessary precondition for sustainable development.” Analyse.(150 words)📅 2021 · 📌 10
- 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.📅 2020 · 📌 10
- Appropriate local community-level healthcare intervention is a prerequisite to achieve ‘Health for All ‘ in India. Explain.📅 2018 · 📌 10
- ‘To ensure effective implementation of policies addressing water, sanitation and hygiene needs, the identification of beneficiary segments is to be synchronized with the anticipated outcomes’ Examine the statement in the context of the WASH scheme.📅 2017 · 📌 10
- 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 alter- natives would you suggest?📅 2015 · 📌 12.5
- Identify the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that are related to health. Dis- cuss the success of the actions taken by the Government for achieving the same.📅 2013 · 📌 10