Role of the Government in Health

Exercises

1. In this chapter you have read that health is a wider concept than illness. Look at this quote from the Constitution and explain the terms ‘living standard’ and 'public health' in your own words.
An important part of the Constitution says it is the “duty of the State to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health.”
Answer: 
Living Standard:

• It means the condition in which people are living.
• The facilities provided by the government in order to raise the standard living of people are measured in terms of comforts, wealth, goods or services.
• Higher the standard of living of people higher the economy and vice versa. Thus it also reflects the economic condition for a country.

Public Health:

• It means the general level of public health.
• The Government provides free basic health facilities and low cost hospitals and medicines to their people.
• It ensures that every person has right to get health facilities.

2. What are the different ways through which the government can take steps to provide healthcare for all? Discuss.
Answer: Different ways through which the government can take steps to provide healthcare for all:

• Establishing public healthcare at zonal level.
• Setting up low cost government hospitals.
• Health insurance for basic treatment.
• Provision of clean drinking water and steps to check pollution.
• Generic medicines at low prices should be provided.
• Healthcare programme and creating awareness.
• Mobile clinic should be encouraged more in rural areas.

3. What differences do you find between private and public health services in your area? Use the following table to compare and contrast these.

Facility	Cost of Services	Availability of service
Private
Public

Answer:

Facility	Cost of Services	Availability of service
Private	High	Good and easily available service.
Public	Low	Poor and take long time in providing services.

4. ‘Improvement in water and sanitation can control many diseases.’ Explain with the help of examples.
Answer: It is true that 'improvement in water and sanitation can control many diseases.’

• Contaminated water is the main reason for many diseases like cholera, jaundice etc.
• By provision of clean drinking water, protection from water related diseases can be assured.
• Poor sanitation is responsible for many communicable diseases.
• Lack of proper sanitation also give rise to the birth of mosquitoes, several insects which affect the health of people.
• Proper sanitation will leads to hygienic condition which will surely control many diseases.