Strengthening Health Federalism through Decentralised Diagnostics
- Empowers sub-centres and PHCs, the lowest tier in health infrastructure.
- Aligns with Entry 6, State List (health as a State Subject).
- Reflects cooperative federalism, promoting uniform standards via central guidance and state-level execution.
Relevance : GS 2(Health , Social Issues , Governance)
Advancing the Right to Health (Article 21)
- Improved diagnostics uphold the Right to Life, as interpreted by the Supreme Court.
- Supports early detection and treatment, especially in rural areas.
- Reinforces Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity v. State of West Bengal (1996)—State duty to provide timely medical care.
Directive Principles in Action
- Implements Articles 39(e), 42 & 47: State’s duty to ensure health and well-being.
- Focus on preventive healthcare (e.g., early detection of TB, thalassemia, sickle cell).
- Prioritises tribal and underserved populations, fulfilling social justice objectives.
Science-Led Policy via Public Institutions
- ICMR’s role shows institutionalised, evidence-driven decision-making.
- Reflects synergy between scientific advice and policy execution, ensuring relevance and credibility.
- Enhances democratic governance by bridging research and service delivery.
Centre-State Executive Coordination
- Aligns central disease-control missions (e.g., TB Elimination Program) with state-run PHCs.
- Demands effective resource-sharing and decentralised planning.
- A case of executive federalism functioning in practice.
Governance Reform & Local Accountability
- Testing at local level reduces delays and strengthens bottom-up accountability.
- Improves transparency and service delivery metrics.
- Enables community-based monitoring, key to democratic deepening at grassroots.
Reducing the Urban–Rural Health Divide
- Expands diagnostic equity, narrowing urban–rural healthcare gaps.
- Serves as a step toward universal health coverage, aligned with SDG 3 and constitutional equality principles.
- Promotes inclusive governance, especially for tribal districts.
