Role of government in public health issues

Health status of any country is represented by health care & demographic indicators which also measure government‟s efficiency and performance in health sector. Also, it has relevance in national progress. Governments have the responsibility for the health of the people which can be fulfilled only by the provision of adequate health & social measures”. Role of government in public health issues is multi-disciplinary and multi-directional, fulfilling roles of insurer, provider and regulator of health care. The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) launched in 2005 has major innovations in the creation of a cadre of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) and improved hospital care, decentralization at district level to improve intra and intersectoral convergence and effective utilization of resources. The various challenges government is facing include population growth, poverty, unexpected natural and manmade disasters, global pandemic of AIDS or influenza (H1N1), poor coverage in rural and remote areas and the constant threat of biomedical warfare. Lifestyle diseases are emerging to a great extent. Various solutions can be sought like prompt and effective health service delivery, health care financing and health legislative measures which are important to safeguard and to protect health of public. These must be strict and should clarify and articulate the role and functions of public health. To improve the purchasing power of community, government should focus on the creation of various job opportunities at individual local places wherever it is possible. For the industries, safe occupational environment must be ensured. Government should aim at ensuring highest possible level of physical, social and psychological wellbeing amongst the workers of all the populations. Thus role of government remains to ensure the availability, accessibility, quality and accountability of medical care to the community following the principle of equity. Thus, an organized and decentralized public health service system which will use the resources adequately with prioritization and by ensuring the strong political commitment, community participation, health legislation, health investment and more importantly bringing health care as a priority is the need of the hour.