What is Health?
Health is not only the absence of disease but ability to realize one's potential
It means achieving complete mental, physical and social wellbeing
Why is Health Important?
Health is a holistic process important for overall growth and prosperity of a nation
If population of country is not healthy, it will not contribute to growth and prosperity of a nation
What is Health Infrastructure?
Heath Infrastructure means making available to Public
Hospitals, Doctors, Nurses, beds, Medicines etc
Is presence of Health infrastructure sufficient to have healthy people?
Mere availability of health infrastructure is not enough, it should be accessible to all people
State of Health Infrastructure in India
Health infrastructure is developed and maintained by all levels of Govt - both Central, State as well as private sector
However, Govt is mainly involved in guiding and regulating all medical issues like
Medical Education, Food Adulteration, Approving Drugs etc
Central Govt makes broad policies through Central Council for Health and Family Welfare
It communicates this policy to State Govt and collect data
Progress Made Since Independence
No of Govt Hospitals, Hospital beds, Nursing Homes and Allopathic Doctors have increased substantially
| 1951 | 2018 | |
| No of Govt Hospitals | 9300 | 53800 |
| Hospital Beds | 1.2 Lakhs | 7.1 lakh |
| Nursing Professionals | 18000 | 30 lakhs |
| Allopathic Doctors | 62000 | 11.5 lakh |
Eradication of Diseases
Many diseases have been completely eradicated
Example - Small Pox, Guinea worms
Many diseases are near eradication
Example - Polio, Leprosy
NCERT Questions
Question 19
Describe the meaning of public health.
Discuss the major public health measures undertaken by the state in recent years to control diseases.
View answer
Public health refers to approach to the medicine that is concerned with the health of the community
as a whole.
The major public health measures undertaken by the state in recent years to control diseases:
1 Promotion of primary healthcare facilities
From 1951 to 2018, the number of government hospitals have increased from 9300 to 53800, hospital beds from
1.2lakhs to 7.1 lakhs, nursing professionals from 18000 to 30lakhs and doctors from 62000 to 11.5 lakhs.
2 Increase in Health Expenditure
This had led to eradication of many diseases completely, like Small Pox, Guinea worms
and some diseases like Polio and Leprosy are near eradication
Other Questions
Question 1
What is Health and what is Health Infrastructure?
View answer
Health is not only the absence of disease but ability to realize one's potential
It means achieving complete mental, physical and social wellbeing
Heath Infrastructure means making Hospitals, Doctors, Nurses, beds, Medicines etc
available to Public