The range in per capita health spending across countries is larger than 100 to 1 and this translates into spending of anywhere between 1 percent to well over 10 percent of national income. Yet health outcomes across countries are not strongly related with the level of spending on health services once other factors and other kinds of expenditure are accounted for. It may not be surprising then to find many people asking what is the right amount for a country to spend on health? The attractiveness of such a question is clear from the numerous times that references are made to it in national health policy debates. It is also apparent from frequent references to an alleged WHO that countries should spend 5 percent of GDP on health a recommendation which was never formally approved and which has little basis in fact [see Appendix A]. Addressing such a question with solid evidence is in great demand. However the question itself is quite deceptive because it appears to be complete when in fact it is not. (excerpt)
This article reviews the highlights of ICPD the International Conference on Population and Development held in 1994 at Cairo and the key actions for the further implementation of the Programme of Action of the ICPD adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1999 for addressing population ageing challenges in the twenty first century. It was the time when it was recognized by the world community that a global demographic revolution is underway at the heart of which is the growth in the number and proportion of older people. Developing countries like-the developed ones are also witnessing a transition from high death and birth rates to low mortality and fertility. (excerpt)
The strategy of primary healthcare (PHC) advanced by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF was declared by 134 states at Alma Ata in 1978 to be the means to achieve Health for All (HEA) by 2000 (WHO and UNICEF 1978). Having strong socio-political implications PHC explicitly outlined a strategy which would respond more equitably appropriately and effectively to basic healthcare needs and also address the underlying social economic and political causes of poor health. Certain principles were to underpin PHC namely universal accessibility and coverage on the basis of need; comprehensive care with emphasis on disease prevention and health promotion; community and individual involvement and serf- reliance; inter-sectoral action for health; and appropriate technology and cost-effectiveness in relation to available resources. (excerpt)
In light of the rapid population growth, the rulers of independent India came to a conclusion that the masses should be made to accept a birth control without undertaking the task of remaking a derelict people. They also concluded that such a job of sterilizing people on a large scale be better handed over to the bureaucrats, who carried a long British heritage of imposing the will of the rulers on the hapless masses. Such forms of coercion of the people became a routine in the implementation of family planning in democratic India, amidst the commitment to upholding human rights of all the people. Masses of people of independent India became a target for sterilization of its own government. However, despite taking recourse to mass sterilization and use of more overt physical force to vasectomize more than nine million people during the Emergency period of 1975-76, the population of the country grew relentlessly.
This article addresses some of the issues related to blood transfusion services in India. In terms of the need for blood transfusion, it is noted that, in the country, the death toll for road accidents has increased due to the unavailability of blood transfusion services near the accident sites. Considering the importance of blood, guidelines have been prescribed for the institutions responsible for collecting, storing, labeling and supplying blood. In addition, rigid requirements in relation to the infrastructure as well as qualified medical staff who have to operate the blood tank have been specified. According to a report in 1990, the blood banking system in the country have many shortcomings, including lack of infrastructure; decentralized nature and lack of adequate human, technological and financial resources. In view of this, the National Policy framework on blood transfusion services recommended several strategies to achieve the goal of improving such services in the country. Moreover, initiatives addressing the issue of shortfall in the annual requirement of blood are cited.
