Topic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.
Q3. Preventive healthcare is the weakest yet most critical link in India’s health governance framework. Evaluate the role of primary healthcare institutions in disease prevention. Discuss the institutional challenges in scaling preventive care. (15 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: TH
Why the question
India’s expanding healthcare infrastructure and improved health indicators mask a persistent neglect of prevention, raising concerns about the sustainability and governance orientation of the health system.Key Demand of the question
The question demands a critical assessment of why preventive healthcare remains institutionally weak despite its importance, an evaluation of the preventive role played by primary healthcare institutions, and a discussion on the governance and capacity constraints in scaling prevention, followed by a forward-looking approach.Structure of the Answer
Introduction
Briefly highlight the paradox of rising healthcare capacity alongside continued preventable disease burden, situating prevention as a governance challenge rather than a technical gap.Body
- Explain why preventive healthcare is structurally under-prioritised in India’s health governance despite offering the highest long-term returns.
- Evaluate the role of primary healthcare institutions in prevention through early detection, maternal and child health, immunisation, and health promotion.
- Discuss the institutional, fiscal, human resource, and coordination challenges that constrain the scaling of preventive care.
- Outline a way forward focusing on reorientation of financing, strengthening primary healthcare capacity, better Centre–State coordination, and use of digital health systems.
Conclusion
Conclude by stressing that repositioning prevention at the centre of health governance is essential for resilient, equitable, and fiscally sustainable health outcomes.
