Strengthening primary healthcare and investing in a capable health workforce are central pillars in realizing the vision of Universal Health Coverage. Examine.

Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

2. Strengthening primary healthcare and investing in a capable health workforce are central pillars in realizing the vision of Universal Health Coverage. Examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India

Why the question: On December, 12, 2012, the UN General Assembly unanimously endorsed a resolution urging countries to accelerate progress towards UHC. In India, the high level expert group report, submitted to the Planning Commission in 2011, outlined a government intent to increase public financing for health to 2.5% of India’s GDP during the 12th Plan (2012-17). Key Demand of the question: To write about UHC, challenges in its implementation and steps that are needed to overcome them. Directive word: Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications. Structure of the answer: Introduction: Begin by defining Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Body: In the first part, write about the various components of UHC – access to health services, including preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care. Next, write about challenges in the implementation of UHC – funding, human resources, infrastructure, and political will etc. Next, write about the steps that are needed to overcome the above-mentioned challenges. Conclusion: Conclude by writing a way forward.

Why the question:

On December, 12, 2012, the UN General Assembly unanimously endorsed a resolution urging countries to accelerate progress towards UHC. In India, the high level expert group report, submitted to the Planning Commission in 2011, outlined a government intent to increase public financing for health to 2.5% of India’s GDP during the 12th Plan (2012-17).

Key Demand of the question:

To write about UHC, challenges in its implementation and steps that are needed to overcome them.

Directive word:

Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin by defining Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

In the first part, write about the various components of UHC – access to health services, including preventive, curative, rehabilitative, and palliative care.

Next, write about challenges in the implementation of UHC – funding, human resources, infrastructure, and political will etc.

Next, write about the steps that are needed to overcome the above-mentioned challenges.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.