Content:
- ONOS bitten
- Indians need to share contraceptive responsibility
ONOS Bitten
Relevance : GS 2(Governance )
Practice Question: Discuss how One Nation, One Subscription can boost the research ecosystem in India. Suggest key measures to make the research field more inclusive. (250 Words )
Present research accessing model
- Journals charge hefty fees for individuals and institutions to access research papers.
- Research institutes rely on subscriptions for access, but increasing costs burden libraries.
- Librarian consortia were formed to negotiate better subscription deals.
ONOS and Benefits
- What is ONOS?
- A national-level subscription plan for access to research journals.
- Proposed in the 2020 National Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy.
- Government Approval: Union Cabinet sanctioned ₹6,000 crore for three years.
- Key Advantage:
- Journals become accessible to underfunded government institutes.
- Centralised bargaining replaces fragmented consortia.
Limitations of ONOS
- Exclusion of private institutions:Only publicly funded institutes benefit, excluding private institutions.
- Continues reliance on profit-driven publishers who use publicly funded research.
- Potential to perpetuate inequity in global research accessibility.
Missed Opportunities
- Alternative Models Ignored: significant push for ‘green’ or ‘diamond’ open-access models ensuring free access to publicly funded research.
- Lack of Local Support:
- Limited encouragement for indigenous journals catering to Indian scholars.
- Missed chance to promote India’s leadership in shaping global research access policies.
Financial and Policy Concerns
- Budget Allocation Issues:
- The stagnation in gross expenditure on R&D as a percentage of GDP raises concerns over prioritising journal subscriptions over broader R&D funding.
- Transparency Challenges:
- Monitor the relevance of subscribed journals.
- Avoid predatory publishers.
Evolving Research Trends Ignored
- Shift to ‘Gold’ Open Access: Journals are moving to models where researchers pay for publication, enabling free public access.
- Rise of Preprint Servers: Preprints are becoming a popular way to share research quickly and freely.
- ONOS does not align with these global shifts.
Consultation and Tailored Needs
- Institutional Input Missing: Institutes were not consulted on their specific requirements or concerns.
- Premature Celebration: The absence of a holistic strategy undermines the initiative’s potential impact.
Indians need to share contraceptive responsibility
Relevance : GS 2( Health )
Practice Question: Explain gender inequality in the sterilisation process and also discuss the possible reasons for the same. (250 Words )
Historical Background
- 1952: India pioneered a national family planning programme with an initial focus on maternal and child health.
- 1966-70: Vasectomies constituted 80.5% of sterilisation procedures.
- Decline: Vasectomy rates decreased significantly due to policy shifts and socio-cultural factors.
Statistics
- NFHS-5 (2019-21): Male sterilisation is stagnant at 0.3%, compared to 37.9% for female sterilisation.
- Target Missed: National Health Policy 2017 aimed to increase male sterilisation to 30%.
- Gender Inequality: Women disproportionately bear the sterilisation burden, undermining efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 5 (gender equality).
Barriers to Vasectomy Adoption
- Cultural Beliefs:
- The perception is that sterilisation is solely a woman’s responsibility.
- Male egos and family opposition hinder adoption.
- Economic Concerns:
- Fear of losing daily wages due to the procedure.
- Lack of awareness about government-provided cash incentives.
- Healthcare System Challenges:
- Shortage of trained providers, especially in rural areas.
- Poor awareness among community health workers about no-scalpel vasectomies.
Policy and Ground-Level Gaps
- Lack of Awareness: Limited knowledge about vasectomy benefits and incentives.
- Ineffectiveness of Policies: Policies lack actionable steps and effective implementation mechanisms.
International Success Stories
- South Korea: High vasectomy prevalence attributed to progressive societal norms and gender equality.
- Bhutan: Vasectomy is normalised via government-led camps and good-quality services.
- Brazil: Mass media campaigns significantly increased uptake, raising prevalence from 0.8% in the 1980s to 5% in the last decade.
Recommendations for India
- Awareness of Contraceptive responsibilities, debunking myths, etc
- Promotion of Incentive programmes for vasectomies
- Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh success stories backs it.
- Health System Strengthening:
- Need to train vasectomy procedures professionals.
- Invest in technological up-gradation to make procedures safer and accessible.
- Adopting best practices: Adopt strategies from countries like South Korea, Bhutan, and Brazil.
Conclusion
- Male participation in family planning should be encouraged.
- Promotion of Informed Decision-Making among couples.
