From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations
Mains level: Paper 2- Lessons to improve healthcare system
Pandemic has been ravaging the world in a way few could have imagined. It highlighted the flaws in our healthcare system. However, it also offers several important lessons for tackling future pandemics and healthcare emergencies.
Where we stand after 1 year of pandemic
About a year after the first cases were reported, we are in a different position than at the start.
Doctors, public health specialists and policymakers have a better sense of the interventions that are required.
Many treatments initially proposed, based on expert experience, have been tested and removed from management strategies even as modified protocols have improved survival rates.
Vaccines have moved even faster than drugs with nearly 40 of them undergoing clinical trials, a dozen of which are at the phase three stage, and at least one has been licensed post-phase three trials under conditional emergency use authorisation (EUA).
This highlights the importance of science, technology, multilateral partnerships such as the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and the WHO.
This highlights the importance of science, technology, multilateral partnerships such as the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and the WHO.
Takeaways from our response to pandemic
1) Increase investment on health services
The countries which handled the pandemic best (Thailand and Vietnam) have well-functioning health systems designed to deliver primary healthcare services.
These countries also have strong preventive and promotive health services as well as a dedicated public health workforce.
Their governments had made sustained investments in health over decades.
In contrast, countries which focused mainly on hospital centric medical systems struggled.
2) Important role played by health workers
The role of community health workers in recognising, referring and motivating individuals for therapy was remarkable.
Healthcare workers, particularly those at the frontline, such as the accredited social health activists (ASHA) who visited hundreds of households repeatedly during the pandemic.
If we are to build back better, we need to give them better recognition, salaries and career progression.
3) Increase community participation
Third, community trust and participation is essential for implementation of non-pharmacological interventions.
Dharavi in Mumbai is an example of the difference community participation can make.
4) Importance of data
Outside of the immediate response, the need for timely and quality data in a health information system was recognised again during the pandemic.
Without real time data on testing, disease surveillance and other outcomes, tailored responses are near impossible.
The solutions that have brought us hope have come from long-term private or public investments in scientific research and developments.
Conclusion
Future readiness needs to start now, and we have the resources and knowledge to do this — all we need is commitment and that is outlined in the recent National Health Policy 2017 and reiterated in the report of the Fifteenth Finance Commission, which for the first time has a dedicated chapter on health.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: GDP
Mains level: Paper 3- Recovery of Indian economy and the issue of fiscal conservatism
Overoptimism stemming from the signs of recovery shown by the figures for the second quarter could result in reduced spending and the rollback of the stimulus. However, other features indicate that fiscal conservatism at this moment is not a good idea.
Hype over recovery
India’s economy contracted by 7.5% in the second quarter of financial year 2020-21.
There are two ways to look at that figure:-
1) That figure is far lower than the 23.9% contraction registered in the first quarter of this financial year.
2) A 7.5% second quarter contraction is high both in itself and when compared with most similarly placed countries.
The government, however, has chosen to focus on the unsurprising evidence that GDP rose sharply, by 23%, between the first quarter and the second when restrictions were substantially lifted.
Based on that evidence, the Finance Ministry’s Monthly Economic Report, for November, speaks of a V-shaped recovery reflective of “the resilience and robustness of the Indian economy”.
The danger is that such optimism would provide the justification to avoid adoption of the measures crucially needed to pull the economy out of recession.
India economy is still demand constrained: 3 signs
1) The decline in private final consumption expenditure at constant prices, which accounts for 56% of GDP, has come down from minus 27% in the first quarter to minus 11% in the second, it still remains high.
Though there are signs of a short-run recovery in private consumption demand with the lifting of lockdowns, net incomes and consumer confidence are not at levels that can even restore last year’s levels.
2) As is to be expected, with production restraints relaxed, depleted stocks are being replenished with a fall of 21% in the first quarter turning into an increase in stocking of 6.3% in the second quarter.
3) The decline in fixed capital formation has fallen from a high minus 47% in the first quarter to minus 7% in the second, investment is still falling year-on-year.
These are all signs of an economy that is severely demand constrained, requiring a significant step up in government expenditure.
Impact on spending by the Centre and the States
Figures from the Office of the Controller General of Accounts for the first seven months of 2020-21 (April to October) indicate that the total expenditure of the central government stood at only 55% of what was provided for in the Budget for 2020-21.
In fact, in a non-COVID-19 year, 2019-20, the ratio of actual spending by the central government over April-October relative to that budgeted figure was a higher 59%.
Meanwhile, with Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenues having fallen from their lower-than-expected levels during the COVID-19 months, the States have been cash-strapped.
Yet, the government has decided not to compensate them for the shortfall, as promised under the GST regime.
States have been left to fend for themselves by going to market and borrowing at high interest rates, which they would find difficult to cover.
Needless to say, as a consequence, State spending has also been curtailed.
Why government should avoid fiscal conservatism
The loss of jobs and livelihoods that happened during lockdown is sure to affect demand now.
This leads to increased indebtedness and the bankruptcies well after restrictions are relaxed.
So, the tasks of providing safety nets, reviving employment and spurring demand become crucial.
Since the market cannot deliver on those fronts, state action facilitated by substantially enhanced expenditure is crucial.
And since government revenues shrink during a recession, that expenditure has to be funded by borrowing.
This is no time for fiscal conservatism, as governments across the world have come to accept.
Trend suggests that allocations for welfare expenditures — ranging from subsidised food to minimal guaranteed employment — needed to support those whose livelihoods have been devastated by the pandemic, would be reduced over time.
As collateral damage, this frugality in a time of crisis is likely to prolong the recession.
Conclusion
The optimism that a V-shaped recovery is imminent, and that optimism, in turn, would justify the view that fiscal conservatism pays. It does not, as time would tell.
Back2Basics: What is V-shaped recovery?
A V-shaped recovery is characterized by a quick and sustained recovery in measures of economic performance after a sharp economic decline.
Because of the speed of economic adjustment and recovery in macroeconomic performance, a V-shaped recovery is a best case scenario given the recession.
The recoveries that followed the recessions of 1920-21 and 1953 in the U.S. are examples of V-shaped recoveries.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: AI and machine learning
Mains level: Paper 3- Artificial intelligence and opportunities for Indian economy
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to transform the Indian economy. In the last few years, India made significant progress in its adoption. However, there are several areas India need to focus on to make the most of what AI offers.
AI adoption and capacity building in India
NITI Aayog’s national strategy for AI envisages ‘AI for all’ for inclusive growth.
NITI Aayog identifies healthcare, agriculture, education, smart cities and infrastructure, and smart mobility and transportation as focus areas for AI-led solutions for social impact.
The Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra governments, among others, have announced policies and strategies for AI adoption.
Technology companies have established AI centres of excellence to create solutions for global clients.
India has a thriving AI start-up ecosystem.
Our talent pool in AI/ML (Machine Learning) is fast-growing, with over 5,00,000 people working on these technologies at present.
AI will boost Indian economy
Nasscom believes that data and AI will contribute $450 billion-$500 billion to India’s GDP by 2025, which is around 10% of the government’s aspiration of a $5 trillion economy.
The growing AI economy will create employment opportunity by creating an estimated over 20 million technical roles.
AI can create not just niche solutions to specific problems that banks and other service providers are deploying, such as speeding up loan application processing or improving customer service; it can also provide solutions for better governance and social impact.
AI can create not just niche solutions to specific problems that banks and other service providers are deploying, such as speeding up loan application processing or improving customer service; it can also provide solutions for better governance and social impact.
Way forward: Focus on 3 areas
1)Talent development
In 2019, we nearly doubled our AI workforce to 72,000 from 40,000 the year before.
However, the demand continues to outpace the supply.
That means our efforts to develop talent must pick up speed.
2) Policies around data
Without data, there cannot be AI.
However, we need a balanced approach in the way we harness and utilise data.
We need a robust legal framework that governs data and serves as the base for the ethical use of AI.
3) Providing the right amount of training data
Though the use of digital technologies has gone up, the level of digitisation continues to be low.
This poses a big challenge for organisations in finding the right amount of training data to run AI/ML algorithms, which in turn affects the accuracy of the results.
Then there is the problem of availability of clean datasets.
Organisations need to invest in data management frameworks that will clean their data before they are analysed, thus vastly improving the outcomes of AI models.
Consider the question “What is Artificial Intelligence? How it could help in providing a boost to the India economy?”
Conclusion
The future for AI looks promising but to convert the potential into reality, India will need better strategies around talent development, stronger policies for data usage and governance, and more investments in creating a technology infrastructure that can truly leverage AI.
Mains level: Food fortification and associated issues
As the Odisha government is preparing to launch fortified rice in the Public Distribution System (PDS), some 100 activists have opposed the move.
Q.What is Fortification of Food? Discuss its various advantages and limitations.
What is Fortified Rice?
Rice can be fortified by adding a micronutrient powder to the rice that adheres to the grains or spraying of the surface of ordinary rice grains with a vitamin and mineral mix to form a protective coating.
Rice can also be extruded and shaped into partially precooked grain-like structures resembling rice grains, which can then be blended with natural polished rice.
Rice kernels can be fortified with several micro-nutrients, such as iron, folic acid and other B-complex vitamins, vitamin A and zinc.
These fortified kernels are then mixed with normal rice in a 1:100 ratio, and distributed for consumption.
Its advantage
Fortified staple foods will contain natural or near natural levels of micro-nutrients, which may not necessarily be the case with supplements.
It provides nutrition without any change in characteristics of food or course of our meals.
If consumed on a regular and frequent basis, fortified foods will maintain body stores of nutrients more efficiently and more effectively than will intermittent supplements.
The overall costs of fortification are extremely low; the price increase is approximately 1 to 2 per cent of the total food value.
Issues with fortified food
Fortification and enrichment upsets nature’s packaging. Our body does not absorb individual nutrients added to processed foods as efficiently compared to nutrients naturally occurring.
Supplements added to foods are less bioavailable. Bioavailability refers to the proportion of a nutrient your body is able to absorb and use.
They lack immune-boosting substances.
Fortified foods and supplements can pose specific risks for people who are taking prescription medications, including decreased absorption of other micro-nutrients, treatment failure, and increased mortality risk.
Why did the activists protest?
Vitamin C and calcium are available in abundance in natural food. Vitamin C is water soluble.
If the rice is laced with Vitamin C, it will get washed away while the rice is cleaned before cooking.
It is a futile exercise to add Vitamin C to uncooked rice.
In our traditional cooking practices, lemon juice is squeezed into cooked food before its consumption.
The decision would lead to wasteful expenditure of taxpayers’ money.
Note: Biofortification is the process by which the nutritional quality of food crops is improved through agronomic practices, conventional plant breeding, or modern biotechnology. It differs from conventional fortification in that Biofortification aims to increase nutrient levels in crops during plant growth rather than through manual means during the processing of the crops.
Regulating fortification
FSSAI has formulated a comprehensive regulation on fortification of foods namely ‘Food Safety and Standards (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2016’.
These regulations set the standards for food fortification and encourage the production, manufacture, distribution, sale and consumption of fortified foods.
The regulations also provide for the specific role of FSSAI in promotion for food fortification and to make fortification mandatory.
WHO recommends fortification of rice with iron, vitamin A and folic acid as a public health strategy to improve the iron status of population wherever rice is a staple food.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Mt. Everest
Mains level: Himalayan Orogeny
Nepal and China jointly announced the new height of Mount Everest as 8,848.86 meters.
8,848 metres — the answer to one of the most widely popular quiz questions, and a number drilled into the minds of school students around the world for decades, is set for a revision.
Mt. Everest
Mount Everest or Sagarmatha, Earth’s highest mountain above sea level, is located in the Himalayas between China and Nepal -– the border between them running across its summit point.
Its current official elevation – 8,848.86m – places it more than 200m above the world’s second-highest mountain, K2, which is 8,611m tall and located in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The mountain gets its English name from Sir George Everest, a colonial-era geographer who served as the Surveyor General of India in the mid-19th century.
Considered an elite climbing destination, Everest was first scaled in 1953 by the Indian-Nepalese Tenzing Norgay and New Zealander Edmund Hillary.
Try this PYQ:
Q.When you travel to the Himalayas, you will see the following:
Deep gorges
U-turn river courses
Parallel mountain ranges
Steep gradients causing land-sliding
Which of the above can be said to be the evidences for the Himalayas being young fold mountains?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 4 only
(c) 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Everest’s first survey
The mission to measure the world’s highest peak was taken up on a serious note in 1847 and culminated with the finding of a team led by Andrew Waugh of the Royal Surveyor General of India.
The team discovered that ‘Peak 15’ — as Mt Everest was referred to then — was the highest mountain, contrary to the then-prevailing belief that Mt Kanchenjunga (8,582 m) was the highest peak in the world.
Another belief, prevailing even today, is that 8,840 m is not the height that was actually determined by the 19th-century team.
That survey, based on trigonometric calculations, is known as the Great Trigonometric Survey of India.
Why is the height being revised?
The height of the summit, however, is known to change because of tectonic activity, such as the 2015 Nepal earthquake.
Its measurement over the decades has also depended on who was surveying.
Another debate is whether the height should be based on the highest rock point or the highest snow point.
Molnupiravir is an experimental antiviral drug which is orally active and was developed for the treatment of influenza.
It is a drug of the synthetic nucleoside derivative N4-hydroxycytidine, and exerts its antiviral action through introduction of copying errors during viral RNA replication.
Molnupiravir is being developed by the biotechnology firm Ridgeback Biotherapeutics in collaboration with pharmaceutical firm Merck.
The research team repurposed MK-4482/EIDD-2801 against SARS-CoV-2 and tested it on ferrets.
This is the first demonstration of an orally available drug to rapidly block SARS-CoV-2 transmission and it can be a game-changer.
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: CO-WIN
Mains level: Vaccination challenges in India
A New Digital platform ‘CO-WIN’ is being used for COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery.
Q.India’s first mass adult vaccination drive against COVID-19 is a difficult task. Explain.
CO-WIN
This user friendly mobile app for recording vaccine data is working as a beneficiary management platform having various modules.
The platform will be used for recording vaccine data and will form a database of healthcare workers too.
The app will have separate modules for administrator, registration, vaccination, beneficiary acknowledgement and reports.
Once people start to register for the app, the platform will upload bulk data on co-morbidity provided by local authorities.
In the process of forming database of Healthcare Workers, which is in an advanced stage across all States/UTs, data is presently being uploaded on the Co-WIN platform.
Prioritized group
Prioritized Population Groups include:
Healthcare Workers in both Government and Private Healthcare facilities
Frontline Workers including personnel from state and central police department, armed forces, home guard, civil defence organizations, disaster management volunteers and municipal workers and
Prioritized Age Group, which includes those aged above 50 years & those with co-morbidities
(Note: This is not the sequence, but categorization.)
