Topic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
3. The field of rare diseases is very complex and heterogeneous with multiple challenges. Critically Analyse National Policy for Rare Diseases, 2021 in prevention and management of rare diseases. (250 words)
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Indian Express
Why the question:
The Rare Diseases Policy aims to lower the high cost of treatment for rare diseases with increased focus on indigenous research with the help of a National Consortium to be set up with Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare as convenor.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about National Policy for Rare Diseases in better management of rare diseases in India.
Directive word:
Critically analyze – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining rare diseases and give certain examples of it.
Body:
First, write about the issues with respect to rare diseases – Early diagnosis of rare diseases is a major challenge owing to a variety of factors that include lack of awareness among primary care physicians, lack of adequate screening and diagnostic facilities etc.
Next, write about positive changes National Policy for Rare Diseases brings forth – lower the high cost of treatment for rare diseases with increased focus on indigenous research, local production of medicines, national hospital-based registry, early screening and financial support etc.
Next, write about the limitations of the above.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward to holistically address the growing burden o rare diseases.
