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Daily Current Affairs for UPSC, IAS, UPPSC/UPPCS, BPSC, MPPSC, RPSC and All State PCS Examinations

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Health Governance in India: Issue of Transparency and Function Overlapping

Why in NEWS?

The management of COVID-19 outbreak in India has raised many governance questions. Frequently revised guidelines, unclear instructions and inadequate policy briefings have impacted the delivery of healthcare and containment of the disease. The hard work of frontline workers and the healthcare professionals in executing the containment measures at the ground level becomes ineffective in the absence of proper planning at the top level.

What is Health Governance?

• Governance in the health sector refers to a wide range of steering and rule-making related functions carried out by governments/decisions makers as they seek to achieve national health policy objectives that are conducive to universal health coverage. Governance is a political process that involves balancing competing influences and demands.
• It includes:

• Maintaining the strategic direction of policy development and implementation.
• Detecting and correcting undesirable trends and distortions.
• Articulating the case for health in national development.
• Regulating the behaviour of a wide range of actors - from health care financiers to health care providers and
• Establishing transparent and effective accountability mechanisms.

• Beyond the formal health system, governance means collaborating with other sectors, including the private sector and civil society, to promote and maintain population health in a participatory and inclusive manner.
• In countries that receive significant amounts of external development assistance, governance should also be concerned with managing these resources in ways that promote national leadership, contribute to the achievement of agreed policy goals, and strengthen national health systems.

Major Health Governance Issues emerged in India during COVID-19 Pandemic

1. Function Overlapping

• One of the issues with India’s health governance that has come to surface in the light of the COVID-19 crisis is the overlapping of functions of different institutions.
• As per the Indian Council of Medical Research’s response guide to COVID-19, it is responsible for approving, procuring and distributing testing kits.
• However, the mandate for these functions lies with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation.
• ICMR’s mandate states that it is also involved in the investigation of outbreaks and development of tools for prevention.
• These are public health functions which should not be the responsibilities of a biomedical research organisation and ideally, should be carried out by Integrated Disease Surveillance Program. There is no clarity provided by the government on why a biomedical research organisation is heading the management of a public health crisis whereas organisations like National Centre for Disease Control or IDSP are in the shadows.

2. Transparency and Accountability

• Another issue that India’s health governance faces is the lack of strong laws that protect the health of the population.
• According to a one study, there is no transparency in auditing the implementation of public health laws, as the Indian government does little to include non-government stakeholders in the evaluation process.
• There is also no attempt to update the existing laws, to suit the evolving situation.
• For example, the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 is not at all comprehensive and does not even attempt to define the term ‘epidemic’. The Act places all the power in the hands of the Union Government without any accountability mechanisms, which can lead to misuse of the authority with no platform for others to question it.
• The shortcomings of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 had to be compensated as states of India passed their own regulations to manage the COVID-19 outbreak.
• In India, when announcements for various versions of lockdowns were made at the national level, the information for each one of them was withheld till the last moment which led to panicking among citizens and businesses. Withholding information in crucial times can lead to confusion and result in lack of trust in the government.

Way Forward

• Communication is one of the key aspects of transparency. The actions taken by the government need to be communicated to its citizens explicitly and need to be backed by strong and transparent public health laws, so that the COVID-19 crisis and the public health system at large are better managed.

• For Example, Taiwan, New Zealand and state of Kerala have shown better management in handling the pandemic due to regular crisis updation or crisis communication and transparency in policies.
• In Taiwan, the health minister addressed the citizens daily through televised media briefings, during the initial period of the outbreak.
• New Zealand’s Prime Minister’s address to its public is praised worldwide, as she was clear about what the situation is and why it demands a stringent lockdown. New Zealand’s government also kept its citizens updated regularly by disclosing what threat level they were at and what actions were taken at that level.
• Kerala continues to top the list for the best performing state in the health sector according to the second edition of NITI Aayoga’s health index. Kerala is also an example of good practices when it comes to crisis communication. Kerala’s health minister made media appearances notifying its people about the status of the situation and assured them so that they do not panic.

• India’s health governance needs a revamp that will address the above mentioned issues. Each of its organisations and departments needs a clearly defined mandate and it should be ensured that they do not overstep it.
• A biomedical research organisation like ICMR is leading the fight against COVID-19, when there are public health agencies like NCDC and IDSP that can work more easily on public health agenda.
• Lack of transparency and accountability mechanisms make it difficult for citizens to trust its government and actively participate in the management of crisis. The management of the public health crisis needs to be backed by strong laws and regulations.

Thus, it is essential for India to make some big changes to the way it addresses the public health issues through legal and executive framework.

INDIA ELECTED AS THE NON-PERMANENT MEMBER OF THE POWERFUL UNSC

IN NEWS

• India was elected as the non-permanent member of the powerful United Nations Security Council for a two-year term on Wednesday, winning 184 votes in the 193-member General Assembly.
• This is the eighth time that India will sit at the UN high-table.

About UNSC:

• The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is one of the principle organs of the United Nations and function for the maintenance of international peace and security.
• Membership: The Security Council consists of in total fifteen members which includes five (Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, and the United States) permanent members and ten non-permanent members, elected on a regional basis to serve two-year terms.
• The Security Council has a Presidency, which rotates, and changes, every month.

INDIA’S PRIORITY AND OPPORTUNITY

• India’s priorities include effective fight against terror and reformed multilateralism as its aims to boost its status as a major power.
• India’s approach will be guided by "Five S’s”, as set out by the Prime Minister:

• Samman (Respect),
• Samvad (Dialogue),
• Sahyog (Cooperation),
• Shanti (Peace),
• Samriddhi (Prosperity).

• India’s overall objective during this tenure in the UN Security Council will be the achievement of N.O.R.M.S: a New Orientation for a Reformed Multilateral System.

CONCLUSION

• India is confident that at a time when world will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations and later India’s 75th anniversary of independence in 2022, India’s presence in the Security Council will help bring to the world its ethos that the world is one family — Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.

GARIB KALYAN ROJGAR ABHIYAAN

IN NEWS

• Government of India has decided to launch a massive rural public works scheme ‘Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan’to empower and provide livelihood opportunities to the returnee migrant workers and rural citizens.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• PM Modi will launch this Abhiyaan through Video-Conference in the presence of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar.The Abhiyaan will be launched from Village – Telihar, Block- Beldaur of Khagaria District of Bihar.
• This programme will be implemented through the Common Service Centres and Krishi Vigyan Kendras, maintaining the norms of social distancing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• A total of 116 Districts with more than 25,000 returnee migrant workers across six states, namely Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Odisha have been chosen for the campaign which includes 27 Aspirational Districts. These districts are estimated to cover about 2/3rd of such migrant workers.
• The Abhiyaan will be a coordinated effort between 12 different Ministries/Departments, namely, Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Road Transport & Highways, Mines, Drinking Water & Sanitation, Environment, Railways, Petroleum & Natural Gas, New & Renewable Energy, Border Roads, Telecom and Agriculture.

PURPOSE

• This campaign of 125 days, which will work in mission mode, will involve intensified and focused implementation of 25 different types of works to provide employment to the migrant workers on one hand and create infrastructure in the rural regions of the country on the other hand, with a resource envelope of Rs. 50,000 crore.

Participatory Notes (P-Notes)

Why in News ?

• Recently, Investments through participatory notes (P-notes) in the domestic capital market rose to Rs 60,027 crore till May-end, after reaching to over 15-year-low of Rs 48,006 crore at the end of March amidst fear of COVID-19 recession.

About the P-notes investment Rise

• According to SEBI data, the value of P-note investments in Indian markets — equity, debt, hybrid securities and derivatives stood at Rs 60,027 crore until May.
• It was at Rs 57,100 crore at the end of April, making it the second consecutive monthly increase.
• According to experts, P-note is now not a preferred route for investing in India as SEBI has made registration easier and also desirable for FPIs. However, due to certain taxation laws in India, FPIs still want to explore this route of investing who may not want to invest in India for long term and just invest to either capitalise on easy liquidity or for attractive valuation.

Participatory Notes

• P-Notes are financial instruments required by investors or hedge funds to invest in Indian securities without having to register with the SEBI.
• Participatory notes are issued by brokers and FIIs registered with SEBI.
• The investment is made on behalf of these foreign investors by the already registered brokers in India.
• Anonymity, Ease of trading, Tax saving, Time and cost savings, are some of the attractive features of participatory notes investments.

INTERNATIONAL YOGA DAY 2020

ABOUT

• International Yoga Day 2020: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ahead of the yoga day, launched an event - 'My Life My Yoga'. He encouraged people to stay active and fit during the coronavirus lockdown
• The theme for this year's International Yoda Day on June 21 is "Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family”.
• Due to the coronavirus pandemic, International Yoga Day will be observed at home. Due to the contagious nature of COVID-19, no mass gathering would be advisable this year. Hence, this year the ministry is encouraging people to practice yoga at their homes, with participation from the entire family,
• The World Health Organization mentions yoga as a means to improve health in its’ Global action plan on physical activity 2018–2030: more active people for a healthier world’.

WHAT IS YOGA AND WHY DO WE CELEBRATE IT?

• Yoga is an ancient physical, mental and spiritual practice that originated in India. The word ‘yoga’ derives from Sanskrit and means to join or to unite, symbolizing the union of body and consciousness.
• Yoga is essentially a spiritual discipline based on an extremely subtle science, which focuses on bringing harmony between mind and body. It is an art and science of healthy living. The word ‘Yoga’ is derived from the Sanskrit root ‘Yuj’, meaning ‘to join’ or ‘to yoke’ or ‘to unite’.
• As per Yogic scriptures the practice of Yoga leads to the union of individual consciousness with that of the Universal Consciousness, indicating a perfect harmony between the mind and body, man and nature.
• Thus the aim of Yoga is Self-realization, to overcome all kinds of sufferings leading to 'the state of liberation' (Moksha) or ‘freedom’ (Kaivalya). Yoga, being widely considered as an ‘immortal cultural outcome’ of Indus Saraswati Valley civilization – dating back to 2700 B.C., has proved itself catering to both material and spiritual upliftment of humanity. Basic humane values are the very identity of ‘Yoga Sadhana’.

A BRIEF HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF YOGA:

• The practice of Yoga is believed to have started with the very dawn of civilization. The science of yoga has its origin thousands of years ago, long before the first religions or belief systems were born. In the yogic lore, Shiva is seen as the first yogi or Adiyogi, and the first Guru or Adi Guru.
• Several Thousand years ago, on the banks of the lake Kantisarovar in the Himalayas, Adiyogi poured his profound knowledge into the legendary Saptarishis or "seven sages”. The sages carried this powerful yogic science to different parts of the world, including Asia, the Middle East, Northern Africa and South America.
• A number of seals and fossil remains of Indus Saraswati valley civilization with Yogic motives and figures performing yoga indicate the presence of Yoga in India.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF YOGA:

• The draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states. The proposal was first introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly,
• Recognizing its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21st June as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131.The International Day of Yoga aims to raise awareness worldwide of the many benefits of practicing yoga.
• Recognizing the importance of yoga in helping people deal with increased depression and anxiety due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, India’s Permanent Mission to the UN has developed a special Yoga Module of exercises, breathing and meditation practices to mark this year’s International Yoga Day.
• The 6th International Day of Yoga will be commemorated virtually this year due to COVID-19 restrictions in place and requirements of social distancing.
• Given the increase in depression and anxiety among people in the era of coronavirus, the message of yoga in promoting physical and mental health and the well-being of humanity have never been more relevant.

CONCLUSION:

There is a growing trend of people all over the world embracing yoga to fight social isolation and depression during the pandemic. Yoga can also play a significant role in the psycho-social care and rehabilitation of COVID-19 patients in quarantine and isolation. They are particularly useful in allaying their fears and anxiety

• Yoga reflects a love for ecological balance, tolerance towards other systems of thought and a compassionate outlook towards all creations. Yoga Sadhana of all hues and colors is considered panacea for a meaningful life and living. Its orientation to a comprehensive health, both individual and social, makes it a worthy practice for the people of all religions, races and nationalities.
• Now-a-days, millions and millions of people across the globe have benefitted by the practice of Yoga which has been preserved and promoted by the great eminent Yoga Masters from ancient time to this date. The practice of Yoga is blossoming, and growing more vibrant every day.

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