Health Policy and Management Practice Questions

Q: What was the recommendation of the Shrivasthava Committee?

Creation of multipurpose health workers. **Explanation:** The **Shrivasthava Committee (1975)**, formally known as the "Group on Medical Education and Support Manpower," was established to determine how to better integrate medical education with the health needs of the community. **Why Option B is Correct:** The committee’s primary and most high-yield recommendation was the creation of **Multipurpose Health Workers (MPWs)** and **Health Assistants**. It suggested that health services should be delivered through a cadre of workers trained to handle multiple tasks (immunization, family planning, malaria control) rather than vertical, single-program workers. This led to the launch of the **Rural Health Scheme** in 1977 and the introduction of the **Community Health Volunteer** (now known as ASHA/CHW) concept. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Option A (Abolition of private practice):** This was a key recommendation of the **Bhore Committee (1946)**, which aimed to ensure doctors focused solely on public service. * **Option C (Creation of PHCs):** The concept of the Primary Health Centre (PHC) as the basic unit of rural health services was the landmark recommendation of the **Bhore Committee (1946)**. **High-Yield NEET-PG Pearls:** * **Shrivasthava Committee (1975):** Think "S" for **S**upport Manpower and **S**cheme (Rural Health Scheme). It also recommended the establishment of a "Medical and Health Education Commission." * **Kartar Singh Committee (1973):** Often confused with Shrivasthava; it specifically designated ANMs as female MPWs and Malaria surveillance workers as male MPWs. * **Jungalwalla Committee (1967):** Known for "Integration of Health Services" and the slogan "Equal pay for equal work." * **Mudaliar Committee (1962):** Focused on strengthening existing PHCs and improving the quality of healthcare rather than just expansion.

Q: Which of the following is NOT a component of the District Mental Health Program?

Screening. The **District Mental Health Program (DMHP)**, launched in 1996 under the National Mental Health Program (NMHP), is designed to provide community-based mental health services. The primary goal is to decentralize mental health care and integrate it with general health services. **Why "Screening" is the correct answer:** While screening is a common public health activity, it is **not** a formal, standalone component of the DMHP framework. The program focuses on the management of established cases, capacity building, and community integration rather than mass population screening for mental disorders. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Training:** This is a core component. DMHP focuses on training non-specialist health workers (Medical Officers, Nurses, and Health Workers) to identify and treat common mental disorders. * **Public Awareness:** Also known as IEC (Information, Education, and Communication), this component aims to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and encourage health-seeking behavior. * **Record Keeping:** Data collection and monitoring are essential for the program’s sustainability and for tracking the prevalence of mental health issues within the district. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Bellary Model:** The DMHP is based on the "Bellary Model" (Karnataka), which proved that mental health services could be successfully integrated into primary health care. * **Components of DMHP:** The four main components are **Service provision** (OPD/IPD), **Training**, **IEC (Awareness)**, and **Monitoring (Record keeping)**. * **Target:** The program aims to provide at least one psychiatrist, one clinical psychologist, one psychiatric social worker, and one psychiatric nurse per district. * **NMHP vs. DMHP:** National Mental Health Program (1982) is the policy; District Mental Health Program (1996) is the implementation arm.

Q: Which of the following is an outcome indicator for ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist)?

Percentage of institutional deliveries. **Explanation:** The core role of an **ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist)** is to act as a bridge between the community and the public health system. In health management, indicators are classified as Input, Process, Output, and Outcome. **Why Option D is Correct:** The **Percentage of Institutional Deliveries** is a direct **outcome indicator** for ASHA because her primary responsibility is to mobilize pregnant women for antenatal care and facilitate institutional delivery (under schemes like Janani Suraksha Yojana). An outcome indicator measures the immediate result of a specific intervention. Since ASHA is incentivized specifically for accompanying women to hospitals for birth, the rise in institutional deliveries directly reflects her performance. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **A & C (IMR and Child Malnutrition Rate):** These are **Impact Indicators**. They represent the long-term health status of a population. While ASHA’s work contributes to reducing IMR, these rates are influenced by multiple factors (sanitation, poverty, clinical care) beyond her individual control. * **B (Number of TB/leprosy cases detected):** This is generally considered an **Output/Process indicator**. While ASHA acts as a DOTS provider, the raw number of cases detected is more reflective of the surveillance system and disease prevalence rather than a final outcome of her health promotion activities. **High-Yield Facts for NEET-PG:** * **ASHA Norms:** 1 per 1000 population (Plain areas); 1 per habitation (Tribal/Hilly areas). * **Selection:** Must be a woman, resident of the village, literate (up to Class 10), and aged 25–45 years. * **Key Role:** "Community Health Volunteer" (not a government employee). * **Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committee (VHSNC):** ASHA serves as the Member Secretary.

Q: Which of the following is not included under AYUSH?

Acupuncture. **Explanation:** The term **AYUSH** is an acronym representing the traditional and non-allopathic systems of medicine recognized and promoted by the Government of India. It was established as a separate department in 2003 and upgraded to a full-fledged Ministry in 2014. **Why Acupuncture is the correct answer:** Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical technique involving the insertion of needles into specific points on the body. While it is practiced in India, it is **not** officially included in the AYUSH acronym or the Ministry’s core mandate. It is often categorized under "Alternative Medicine" but does not hold the same statutory status as the other five systems. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **A. Naturopathy:** Included under the letter **'Y'** (Yoga and Naturopathy). It focuses on the body's innate ability to heal itself using natural elements. * **C. Unani:** Represented by the letter **'U'**. It is a Perso-Arabic traditional medicine system based on the teachings of Hippocrates and Galen. * **D. Homeopathy:** Represented by the letter **'H'**. It is based on the principle of "Similia Similibus Curentur" (Like cures like). **High-Yield Facts for NEET-PG:** * **AYUSH Acronym:** **A**yurveda, **Y**oga & Naturopathy, **U**nani, **S**iddha, and **H**omeopathy. (Note: **Sowa-Rigpa** was added later as a recognized system under the Ministry). * **National AYUSH Mission (NAM):** Launched in 2014 to improve AYUSH health services and strengthen educational institutions. * **Mainstreaming of AYUSH:** Under the National Health Mission (NHM), AYUSH practitioners are co-located at PHCs and CHCs to provide a choice of treatment to patients and strengthen the public health workforce.

Q: Which of the following is NOT an objective of the Mental Health Act, 1987?

Human rights for mentally ill individuals. **Explanation:** The **Mental Health Act (MHA), 1987** was primarily an administrative and regulatory framework focused on the establishment of mental health authorities, regulation of psychiatric hospitals, and procedures for the admission and detention of mentally ill persons. **Why Option D is the Correct Answer:** While the MHA 1987 touched upon the protection of rights, it was heavily criticized for being **custodial** rather than rights-based. The explicit focus on **Human Rights for mentally ill individuals** is the hallmark of the **Mental Healthcare Act (MHCA), 2017**, which replaced the 1987 Act. The 2017 Act introduced the "Right to Access Healthcare" and "Advance Directives," shifting the focus from legal detention to patient autonomy and human rights. **Analysis of Incorrect Options (Objectives of MHA 1987):** * **Option A & B:** The 1987 Act aimed to decentralize mental health services, encouraging **community participation** and the **integration of mental health knowledge into general healthcare** to reduce stigma and increase accessibility. * **Option C:** Providing **minimal mental health care for all** (especially the vulnerable) was a core objective aligned with the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) 1982, which the MHA 1987 sought to implement legally. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **MHA 1987:** Focused on "Mentally ill persons" and "Psychiatric hospitals." * **MHCA 2017:** Focused on "Persons with mental illness" (PWMI) and "Mental health establishments." * **Decriminalization of Suicide:** Under Section 115 of the MHCA 2017, a person attempting suicide is presumed to be under severe stress and shall not be punished. * **Prohibition of ECT:** Direct ECT (without anesthesia) is prohibited under the 2017 Act.

Q: The WHO 'Vision 2020: The Right to Sight' initiative aims to eliminate avoidable blindness. Which of the following is NOT a target disease or condition of this initiative?

Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. **Explanation:** The **WHO ‘Vision 2020: The Right to Sight’** initiative was a global program launched in 1999 to eliminate avoidable blindness by the year 2020. The initiative prioritized specific diseases based on their prevalence and the availability of cost-effective interventions. **Why Option C is Correct:** **Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis (EKC)** is a highly contagious viral infection caused by Adenovirus (types 8, 19, and 37). While it causes significant morbidity and localized outbreaks, it is typically self-limiting and rarely leads to permanent, large-scale avoidable blindness. Therefore, it was never a target disease for the Vision 2020 global initiative. **Why Other Options are Incorrect:** The initiative focused on five primary target conditions: * **Cataract (Option A):** The leading cause of blindness worldwide; addressed through high-volume surgical interventions. * **Trachoma (Option B):** Targeted for elimination using the **SAFE strategy** (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, Environmental improvement). * **Onchocerciasis (Option D):** Also known as "River Blindness," targeted through vector control and mass drug administration (Ivermectin). * *Note: The other two original targets were Childhood Blindness (e.g., Vitamin A deficiency) and Refractive Errors/Low Vision.* **High-Yield NEET-PG Pearls:** * **Vision 2020 Strategy:** Focuses on three pillars: Disease control, Human resource development, and Infrastructure/Technology. * **Global Targets:** Later updates added **Diabetic Retinopathy** and **Glaucoma** as areas of concern, but EKC remains excluded. * **Current Status:** Vision 2020 has been succeeded by the WHO's **"Integrated People-Centred Eye Care" (IPCEC)** and the "2030 targets" for refractive errors and cataract surgery. * **Trachoma:** India was declared free of "infective trachoma" in 2017.

Q: PERT type of system is used for what purpose?

Network analysis. **Explanation:** **PERT (Program Evaluation and Review Technique)** is a statistical tool used in project management and health planning. It is a type of **Network Analysis** designed to analyze the tasks involved in completing a given project, especially the time needed to complete each task and identifying the minimum time needed to complete the total project. 1. **Why Network Analysis is Correct:** Network analysis (which includes PERT and CPM - Critical Path Method) involves a graphical representation of a project's timeline. PERT is specifically **event-oriented** and is used for large-scale, complex, and non-repetitive projects where time estimates are uncertain. It helps health administrators identify bottlenecks and ensure the efficient allocation of resources to meet deadlines. 2. **Why Other Options are Incorrect:** * **Cost-Effective Analysis (CEA):** Compares the relative costs and outcomes (effects) of different courses of action (e.g., cost per life year saved). It measures outcomes in natural units, not network flow. * **Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA):** Compares the costs and benefits of a program where both are expressed in **monetary terms**. * **Input-Output Analysis:** An economic model that describes the flow of goods and services between different sectors of an economy (or departments within a hospital). **High-Yield Facts for NEET-PG:** * **PERT vs. CPM:** PERT is **event-oriented** (focuses on milestones) and uses three-time estimates (optimistic, pessimistic, and most likely). CPM is **activity-oriented** and used for repetitive projects with certain time frames. * **Critical Path:** The longest path through a network diagram which determines the shortest possible duration of the project. * **Application:** In Community Medicine, PERT is frequently used for planning national health programs (e.g., launching a new immunization drive).

Question 1

What was the recommendation of the Shrivasthava Committee?

Accepted Answer

Creation of multipurpose health workers

Answer

Abolition of private practice

Answer

Creation of Primary Health Centres (PHC)

Answer

All of the above

Question 2

In the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB), who typically performs vision testing in schools?

Accepted Answer

Teachers

Answer

Ophthalmologist

Answer

Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)

Answer

Optometrist

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a component of the District Mental Health Program?

Accepted Answer

Screening

Answer

Training

Answer

Public awareness

Answer

Record keeping

Question 4

Socialization of medicine leads to all the following outcomes EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Ensures complete utilization of services by all people

Answer

Free medical care supported by the state

Answer

Eliminates the competition among physicians in search of clients

Answer

Ensures social equity and universal coverage of health services

Question 5

Which of the following is an outcome indicator for ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist)?

Accepted Answer

Percentage of institutional deliveries

Answer

Infant Mortality Rate (IMR)

Answer

Number of TB/leprosy cases detected

Answer

Child malnutrition rate

Question 6

Which of the following is not included under AYUSH?

Accepted Answer

Acupuncture

Answer

Naturopathy

Answer

Unani

Answer

Homeopathy

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT an objective of the Mental Health Act, 1987?

Accepted Answer

Human rights for mentally ill individuals

Answer

Promote community participation

Answer

Application of mental health knowledge in general healthcare

Answer

Minimal mental health care for all

Question 8

The WHO 'Vision 2020: The Right to Sight' initiative aims to eliminate avoidable blindness. Which of the following is NOT a target disease or condition of this initiative?

Accepted Answer

Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis

Answer

Cataract

Answer

Trachoma

Answer

Onchocerciasis

Question 9

What is the role of an ASHA worker in Directly Observed Treatment, Short-course (DOTS) therapy?

Accepted Answer

Serving as a DOTS provider

Answer

Providing direct observation on a daily basis

Answer

Assisting in the diagnosis of tuberculosis

Answer

Administering the BCG vaccine

Question 10

PERT type of system is used for what purpose?

Accepted Answer

Network analysis

Answer

Cost effective analysis

Answer

Cost benefit analysis

Answer

Input-Output analysis

Health Policy and Management — MCQs

Health Policy and Management — MCQs

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