Nov-16SI Flashcards
Nov-16SI-Index
- Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)
- Brics Urbanisation Forum
- School Education Quality Index (SEQI)
- Who Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)
- 7.4.1. Pictorial Warnings on Tobacco
- Who Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)
- Supreme Court’s Guidelines on Female Foeticide
- Nodal Agency to Check Pre-Natal Sex Selection
- Saur Sujala Yojana
- Kerala Declared Open Defecation Free
- Smart Gram Initiative
- Tread Scheme
- National E-Health Authority
- Commercialising Medical Education
- India’s Asylum Policy
- Health issues: Children
- Mission Madhumeha through Ayurveda
7.1. PRADHAN MANTRI SURAKSHIT MATRITVA ABHIYAN (PMSMA)
About the PMSMA
It has been launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
(MoHFW).
It aims provide assured, comprehensive and quality antenatal care,
free of cost, universally to all pregnant women on the 9th of every
month.
It envisages to improve the quality and coverage of Antenatal Care
(ANC) including diagnostics and counseling services as part of the
Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A) Strategy.
The Highlight of PMSMA
Participation of the Private Practitoners:-The programme follows a systematic approach for engagement with private sector which includes motivating private practitioners to volunteer for the campaign developing strategies for generating awareness and appealing to the private sector to participate in the Abhiyan at government health facilities.
Identification and follow up of high risk pregnancies. A sticker indicating the condition and risk factor of the pregnant women would be added onto MCP card for each visit:
Green Sticker- for women with no risk factor detected
Red Sticker – for women with high risk pregnancy
A National Portal for PMSMA and a Mobile application have been developed to facilitate the engagement of private/ voluntary sector
—Fig—
7.2. BRICS URBANISATION FORUM
Why in News?
The 3rd BRICS Urbanization Forum Meet was held in Visakhapatnam. The theme was - “Building responsive, inclusive and collective solutions for urbanisation”.
About BRICS urbanisation forum
The BRICS Urbanization Forum was established in 2011 at the 3rd annual BRICS summit in Sanya, China and the 1st BRICS Urbanization Forum was held in New Delhi.
The Urbanization Forums were created with a focus on urban infrastructure to specifically discuss various thematic areas within the umbrella of urbanization and infrastructure.
The main idea behind the forum is to –
share urban knowledge
develop mechanisms for peer-to-peer exchange,
promote evidence-based policy making and
Learn useful lessons from individual experiences of ‘urban transition.
Through the forum there is a collective bargaining power in the global economic order
7.3. SCHOOL EDUCATION QUALITY INDEX (SEQI)
Niti Aayog has organised the first regional workshop on School Education Quality Index (SEQI) to improve the learning outcomes among school children.
About SEQI
The SEQI is a composite index that will report annual improveme.
The larger vision of the index is to shift the focus of States from inputs towards outcomes, provide objective benchmarks for continuous annual improvements, encourage state-led innovations to improve quality and facilitate sharing of best practices.
In order to precisely report the quality of education imparted across India, the SEQI is divided into two categories: 1.Outcomes and 2.Governance Management.
These are further divided into three domains of Outcomes (Learning, Access and Equity) and two domains of Governance & Management (Governance Processes and Structural Reforms). Currently the index has 34 indicators and 1000 points, with the highest weightage given to learning outcomes (600 out of 1000 points).
What has been inferred workshop?
Highest quality evidence available suggests that across the board increase in education spending in India has not led to an improvement in learning outcomes.
Inputs such as infrastructure, teacher training, student-teacher ratio etc. alone have had negligible impact on student learning.
Integrating inputs with accountability and early childhood literacy/numeracy will radically transform the quality of education imparted in schools.
7.4. WHO FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON TOBACCO CONTROL (FCTC)
Why in News?
The seventh session of the Conference of the Parties (COP7) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) was held in New Delhi.
About WHO FCTC
The WHO FCTC is an evidence-based treaty that reaffirms the right of all people to the highest standard of health.
The WHO FCTC was developed in response to the globalization of the tobacco epidemic.
Why the need for convention?
The consequences of the on-going tobacco epidemic which, if unchecked, will kill about 1 billion people in the 21st Century.
By 2030, over 80 percent of the world’s tobacco-related mortality will be in low- and- middle income countries.
To cooperate internationally and research on tobacco use and tobacco control and its consequences among girls and women, as well as boys and men, with special attention to vulnerable groups, in respect to social determinants of health.
Tobacco control is related to a number of Sustainable Development Goals and targets, including those related to the environment and human rights.
7.4.1. PICTORIAL WARNINGS ON TOBACCO
India ranks 3rd globally among 205 countries with 85 per cent implementation of pictorial warnings on tobacco products pack.
The top two countries are Nepal and Vanuatu.
India has demonstrated global leadership by implementing 85 per cent pictorial warnings on all tobacco packages
According to WHO, tobacco-related diseases kill about 2,500 Indians daily and over 10 lakh Indians a year.
It is estimated that about 5,500 youth and children (as young as eight years old) initiate tobacco.
India has 12 crore tobacco users, according to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey.
The total direct and indirect cost of diseases attributable to tobacco use was Rs 1.04 lakh crore ($17 billion) in 2011 or 1.16 per cent of India’s GDP.
7.5. SUPREME COURT’S GUIDELINES ON FEMALE FOETICIDE
Why in News?
Supreme Court issued a series of directions to control the crime of female foeticide, including an all-India database to keep tabs on the number and gender of new-born.
The Guidelines of SC
To maintain a centralised database– All the States and the Union Territories in India shall maintain a centralized database of civil registration records from all registration units so that information can be made available from the website regarding the number of boys and girls being born.
Fast track court-The Courts which deal with the complaints under the Act shall be fast tracked and the concerned High Courts shall issue appropriate directions in that regard.
Constitution of a Committee of having three HC Judges that can periodically oversee the progress of the cases.
Effective implementation of the The Pre-conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994.
The awareness campaigns with regard to the provisions of the Act as well as the social awareness shall be undertaken.
All India Radio and Doordarshan functioning in various States to give wide publicity pertaining to the saving of the girl child and the grave dangers the society shall face because of female foeticide.
Incentive Schemes- directed that States and Union Territories, which do not have any incentive schemes for the girl child, shall frame the same.
7.6. NODAL AGENCY TO CHECK PRE-NATAL SEX SELECTION
Why in News?
The Supreme Court had recently directed the government to constitute a nodal agency to monitor and trigger search engines to crack down on online pre-natal sex determination advertisements.
About the step taken
The step has been taken as part of the Pre-Conception and Pre-
Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act (1994) which states
that no one shall be permitted to propagate sex selection in
India.
Nodal agency would give advertisements on TV, radio and in
newspapers, that if anybody comes across anything which
identifies a girl or a boy [at pre-natal stage], it should be
brought to the notice of the nodal agency.
Once it is brought to the notice, the agency shall inform the
search engines and they, after receiving the information, are
obliged to delete it within 36 hours and inform the nodal
agency.
Why the need for such a step?
As per the Census, 2011 the child sex ratio has shown decline
from 927 females per thousand males in 2001 to 918 females per thousand males in 2011.
To stop female foeticides. Over the past 25 years, more than 15 million girls have been eliminated because of determination of foetal sex before birth.
Sex selection was introduced in India as a method to control population growth, however in recent times it has resulted in misuse for personal gains.
Barely 3,000 cases have been filed against violators of the act over the past 21 years though half a billion medical crimes have been committed.
Box–Initiatives towards checking decline in child sex ratio
Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana,
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana,
Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act (1994)
The Girl Child Protection Scheme of Andhra Pradesh government
Aapki Beti, Humari beti by Haryana government.
Ashray scheme of Rajasthan government.
Sivagami Ammaiyar memorial girl child protection scheme of Tamil Nadu government.
Mukhya Mantri Kanya Suraksha Yojana of Bihar government.
7.7. SAUR SUJALA YOJANA
Why in News?
The PM on the occasion of 16th Foundation Day of Chhattisgarh had launched the Saur Sujala Yojana. Also, Chhattisgarh is the first state to implement the scheme.
About the scheme
Under the scheme, solar powered irrigation pumps of 3HP and 5HP capacity would be distributed to farmers by March 2019.
The scheme targets areas where there is no reach of electricity.
Around 51,000 farmers would be benefitted in the state with the launch of the scheme.
Advantages of Solar Powered Irrigation System
The installation of solar pumps is done in arid regions such as in Africa, India and South America
Aiming at increasing local farmers productivity and as a consequence, improving their living conditions.
It helps in saving Energy.
There is no fuel cost - as it uses available free sun light.
It can be operated lifelong.
It is highly reliable and durable.
It is easy to operate and maintain
7.8. KERALA DECLARED OPEN DEFECATION FREE
Why in News?
Under the Swachh Bharat Mission
(Gramin/Rural) Kerala has become the
third State to be declared Open Defecation
Free(ODF), Sikkim was first and Himachal
Pradesh was second to be declared ODF.
Kerala, with a rural population of
approximately 3.5 crores, is also the largest State so far to have achieved the ODF Status, after Sikkim (6 lakhs) and Himachal Pradesh (70 lakhs).
Earlier, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh became the first states to be declared ODF in Urban Areas.
Box–SWACHCHATA DOOT
These are Sanitation Messengers- who are village level motivators who work to strengthen communication machinery at the village level with participatory social mobilization, engagement of village level motivators (may be undertaken by the States in accordance with these guidelines.
7.9. SMART GRAM INITIATIVE
Why in News?
President Pranab Mukherjee had inaugurated a smart model village pilot project at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The five villages which will be developed into the smart villages under this pilot project are Dhaula, Alipur, Harichandpur and Taj Nagar from Gurgaon district and Rojka Meo from Mewat district of Haryana.
Recently there initiatives were inaugurated in these villages by the Chief Minister of Haryana.
About Smart Gram
A smart gram would have the required basic physical and social infrastructure with a layer of smart information and communication embedded in the infrastructure to improve governance and delivery of services, livelihood and economic opportunities.
The focus of Rashtrapati Bhavan is on creating a sustainable and inclusive development model that can be easily replicated.
This model is based on the convergence of resources and effort by the central government, state government, district administration, panchayati raj institutions, public sector, private sector and enlightened villagers.
7.10. TREAD SCHEME
Why in News?
Recently the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) started operating the scheme titled “Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development (TREAD)” to promote women entrepreneurs.
About the scheme
The scheme envisages economic empowerment of women through trade related training, information and counseling activities related to trades, products, services.
Under the scheme, there is a provision for Government of India grant up to 30% of the loan/ credit maximum up to Rs. 30.00 lakh as appraised by lending institutions/ banks.
The lending institutions/ banks would finance loan assistance for a group of women through NGOs for undertaking non- farm activities.
Significance
With improving social-economic factors like higher education, higher support across family/work environment women are increasingly emerging as Entrepreneurs and Corporate Leaders.
According to NASSCOM, Startups have grown by 125% from $2.2 Bn in 2014 to $4.9 Bn in 2015. Women’s participation has seen a 50% rise since 2014.
Dedicated schemes like Trade Related Entrepreneurship Assistance and Development (TREAD) will enable trade related training, information and counseling.
7.11. NATIONAL E-HEALTH AUTHORITY
Why in News?
Recently the Government has announced the setting up a National eHealth Authority for the promotion of eHealth standards by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
A brief Background for setting up NeHA
The National Knowledge Commission (NKC) had recommended in 2008 formation of National Health Information Authority (NHIA) to support implementation on e-Health.
High Level Expert Group (HLEG) set up by Planning Commission in the context of 12th Five Year (2012-2017) had recommended HER adoption and setting up of a nationwide network to support the same.
They had done so as part of recommending Universal Health Coverage.
‘Digital India’ Program had been announced on August 2014 and a set of on-line Healthcare services are scheduled to be offered.
About NeHA
It will be the nodal authority that will be responsible for development of an Integrated Health Information System (including Telemedicine and mHealth) in India.
It will also be responsible for enforcing the laws & regulations relating to the privacy and security of the patients health information & records.
NeHA will be setup through an appropriate legislation (Act of Parliament)
The Chairman will be an eminent person in the field of Medicine, Public Health or Judiciary.
Functions of NeHA
To guide the adoption of e-Health solutions at various levels and areas in a manner that meaningful aggregation of health and governance data and storage/exchange of electronic health records happens at various levels in a cost-effective manner.
To facilitate integration of multiple health IT systems through health information exchanges.
To oversee orderly evolution of state wide and nationwide Electronic Health Record Store/Exchange System that ensures security, confidentiality and privacy of patient data and continuity of care.
To engage with stakeholders through various means so that eHealth plans are adopted and other policy, regulatory and legal provisions are implemented by both the public & private sector stakeholders
To promote setting up of state health records repositories and health information exchanges.
To address the issues relating to privacy & confidentiality of Patients’ EHR in the legislation.
Benefits by Digitalising Health data by setting up of NeHA
Better manage care for patients by providing accurate, up-to-date, and complete information about patients at the point of care;
Access patient records quickly for more coordinated, efficient care;
Share electronic information securely with patients and other clinicians;
Diagnose patients more effectively, reduce medical errors and provide safer care;
Prescribe more reliably and safer;
Improve productivity and work-life balance; and
Reduced cost through less paperwork, improved safety, reduced duplication of testing, improved health.
The Way Forward
India spends around 4.1% of GDP on health, of which only about 1.1% is the contribution of the government.
With its rich demographic dividend, the importance of a robust healthcare system increase greatly.
Initiatives like NeHA in the otherwise problem ridden healthcare sector in India can surely help in refining India’s human development indicators.
The necessary ingredients are all present: A digital health Greenfield, robust telecom infrastructure, unique ID authentication, and a large talented pool of IT professionals. Utilising them may allow India to shape healthcare delivery globally.
7.12. COMMERCIALISING MEDICAL EDUCATION
Why in news?
The Medical Council of India has permitted corporates and
“for profit” institutions to start medical colleges in the
country.
This comes nearly two months after the Niti Aayog
committee recommended privatisation of medical colleges.
Need
The justification for commercializing medical education is that it will incentivize investors to set up medical colleges, increase the supply of doctors, induce competition and reduce the cost of tuition fees and services.
Argument against commercialization
The report says there should be no ceiling or regulation of fees in private medical colleges for the majority of students. This may lead to legalization of large sums of money being charged by many private medical colleges in modified form.
It may contribute to a fall in qualitative standards by allowing money, power and political influences to affect results.
The low number of doctors (As per WHO- one doctor for every 1,000 people) is indirectly linked to the high tuition fees as working in public sector isn’t as high paying as it is working for private clinics.
Box–Niti Ayog’s Three Point Recommendation:
Allowing private investors to establish medical colleges by regulations.
Freedom to levy fees for 60 per cent of the students to recoup their money, and
Making the exit examination the bench mark for quality and for crowding out substandard institutions.
7.13. INDIA’S ASYLUM POLICY
Why in News?
With the government highlighting human rights abuses in Balochistan, conversations about India’s asylum policy have arisen.
Also the Rohingyas, an ethnic group from the Rakhine state in Myanmar, are seeking shelter in India.
India has one of the largest refugee populations in
South Asia, but is yet to enact a uniform law that
addresses the issue of asylum.
State of refugees in India
At the end of 2015, according to the United Nations
refugee body, there were 2, 07,861 persons of concern
in India, of whom 2, 01,281 were refugees and 6,480
asylum seekers.
India has, over the years, offered shelter to Tibetans,
the Chakmas of Bangladesh, Afghans and ethnic Tamil
refugees from Sri Lanka.
Tibetans who arrived between 1959 and 1962,
were given adequate refuge in over 38 settlements.
The Afghan refugees fleeing the civil war in the 1980s live in slums across Delhi.
The Rohingyas, an ethnic group from the Rakhine state in Myanmar, are one of the most persecuted groups in the world. Over 13,000 Rohingya refugees are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in India.
Reasons for India not signing the UN Convention:
It can upset the demographic balance in the country as the borders around South Asia are porus.
Due to the influx of refugees, it can put pressure on the local infrastructure as seen presently in the case of the European Developed countries.
The convention provides 34 freedom and rights to the refugees; these are in confrontation with the rights enshrined in the Constitution.
How are the entry of refugees and asylum seekers determined in India?
India has not signed the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention on the Status of Refugees, or its 1967 Protocol that stipulates the rights and services host states must provide refugees.
The Passport (Entry of India) Act, 1920, The Passport Act, 1967, The Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, The Foreigners Act, 1946, and The Foreigners Order, 1948, are consulted by Indian authorities with regard to the entry of refugees and asylum seekers.
Refugees have been accorded protection by the judiciary (National Human Rights Commission vs State of Arunachal Pradesh, 1996).
In addition, the Supreme Court has held that the right to equality (Article 14) and right to life and personal liberty (Article 21) extend to refugees.
Way forward
India remains the only significant democracy without legislation specifically for refugees. We need a system that enables the management of refugees with greater transparency and accountability, replacing one that offers arbitrary decision-making to a vulnerable, victimized, population.
Box–Difference between asylum seeker and refugee?
According to the UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, asylum seekers are individuals who have sought international protection and whose claims for refugee status have not yet been determined, irrespective of when they may have been lodged.
Refugees are individuals recognised under the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, its 1967 Protocol, the 1969 OAU Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa, those recognised in accordance with the UNHCR Statute, individuals granted complementary forms of protection, or those enjoying temporary protection.
