Context

• India is poised at a critical juncture in its development journey, with the ambitious vision of becoming a $5 trillion economy and an influential global force.
• Yet, this aspiration faces a grave, silent threat, the escalating burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
• While the nation continues to make strides in various sectors, the growing prevalence of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and respiratory disorders poses a substantial challenge to both public health and economic growth.

The Alarming Rise of NCDs and Their Economic Consequences

• While the country has made considerable progress in controlling communicable diseases, this success has been offset by a sharp rise in NCDs.
• These chronic conditions now account for nearly two-thirds of all deaths in the country, with five to six million Indians succumbing annually.
• What makes this trend particularly concerning is its impact on younger populations.
• A significant portion of India’s working-age citizens, a demographic that the country relies on for its economic engine, are increasingly affected by lifestyle-related diseases.
• Approximately 22% of Indians over the age of 30 face the risk of dying from an NCD before turning 70.
• The economic toll of NCDs is equally daunting. Reduced productivity, increased absenteeism, and premature mortality result in an estimated loss of 5%-10% of India’s GDP annually.
• Projections from the World Economic Forum and the Harvard School of Public Health estimate a staggering $3.5–$4 trillion loss to the Indian economy between 2012 and 2030 due to NCDs.
• This underscores a vital truth: investing in preventive healthcare is not merely a health imperative but a strategic economic policy.

Lifestyle Factors, the Power of Prevention the Role of Technology and AI in Transformative Health Care

• Lifestyle Factors and the Power of Prevention
  • Despite the bleak statistics, the silver lining lies in the fact that most NCDs are largely preventable.
  • Sedentary habits, unhealthy diets, tobacco and alcohol consumption, air pollution, and genetic predispositions are some of the key contributors.
  • Addressing these modifiable risk factors could prevent up to 80% of premature cases of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
  • A critical starting point is addressing obesity, with 22%-23% of Indian adults now classified as overweight.
  • Encouraging daily physical activity, through walking, yoga, or sports, and promoting a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can significantly reduce health risks.
  • Additionally, pollution control must be seen not just as an environmental issue, but as a form of public health intervention, given its direct link to respiratory diseases and cardiovascular complications.
  • Another cornerstone of prevention is early detection. Regular health screenings from the age of 40, or earlier in the case of familial risk, are vital for timely intervention.
  • Early identification of high blood pressure, prediabetes, or early-stage cancers can enable treatment before conditions become life-threatening.
• The Role of Technology and AI in Transformative Health Care
  • With over 750 million smartphone users, the potential for widespread dissemination of health-related information is unprecedented.
  • Digital health tools, including wearable fitness trackers, mobile apps, and telemedicine, empower individuals to monitor their health and make informed choices.
  • Even more transformative is the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in predictive modelling and diagnostics.
  • AI can analyse complex health data to predict an individual’s risk for specific NCDs, generating personalized health risk scores.
  • It can also enhance diagnostics by identifying anomalies in scans, such as early lung nodules or signs of fatty liver, that may be missed by human eyes.
  • However, while AI augments care delivery, the human touch must remain central. Preventive care must be compassionate, accessible, and centred on the patient.

The Way Forward: Cultivating a Preventive Health Mindset Across Society

• Ultimately, preventive care is not merely a clinical protocol but a cultural shift.
• It requires every individual, institution, and policymaker to adopt a “health-first” philosophy.
• Personal responsibility plays a key role, from attending regular check-ups to making small but meaningful lifestyle adjustments like reducing sugar intake or choosing stairs over elevators.
• Workplaces must champion employee wellness, offering annual screenings, in-house counsellors, and fitness initiatives.
• Healthcare providers need to pivot from reactive models that focus on treating illness to proactive systems that emphasize disease prevention.
• Public policy must align with health objectives: urban planning should prioritise green spaces, educational syllabi must include nutrition and fitness, and food regulations should mandate lower levels of sugar and salt in processed foods.
• Government efforts like the National Programme for Prevention and Control of NCDs and the establishment of Health and Wellness Centres are commendable steps in this direction.
• But these must be scaled up and integrated with a broader national strategy that puts prevention at the forefront of healthcare.

Conclusion

• As the nation aspires for global stature and sustainable development, it must confront the NCD epidemic with urgency and foresight.
• A shift towards preventive healthcare is not only desirable but essential. The power to bring about this transformation lies within individuals, communities, corporations, and governments alike.
• By developing a culture of prevention, embracing technology responsibly, and aligning public policies with health objectives, India can protect its demographic dividend, reduce economic losses, and enhance the well-being of its citizens.

Q1. What major health issue threatens India’s economic growth?
Ans. The rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Q2. Why is prevention crucial in tackling NCDs?
Ans. Because most NCDs are preventable through lifestyle changes and early detection.

Q3. How do NCDs impact India’s economy?
Ans. They reduce productivity and may cost 5%-10% of the GDP annually.

Q4. What role can technology play in preventive healthcare?
Ans. Digital tools and AI can predict health risks and support early diagnosis.

Q5. What is needed to make preventive healthcare successful in India?
Ans. A shift in mindset where individuals, workplaces, and policymakers prioritise health.

Source:The Hindu

Context

• On World Health Day, as the global community reflects on the foundations of human well-being, India offers a transformative perspective: health and sanitation are inseparable.
• Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has launched unprecedented nationwide movements in water and sanitation.
• These initiatives, most notably the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), have reshaped not only infrastructure but also societal attitudes toward public health, gender equity, and environmental sustainability.

Transformative Rural Missions: SBM and JJM

• Swachh Bharat Mission
  • India’s story of health transformation cannot be told without recognising the monumental achievements of SBM (Grameen) and JJM.
  • These initiatives, often misconstrued as simply providing toilets and tap water, are in fact emblematic of a deeper societal shift.
  • Launched in 2014, the SBM was envisioned as a Jan Andolan, a people’s movement rooted in behavioural change.
  • By 2019, India declared itself Open Defecation Free (ODF), significantly ahead of the global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6.2 deadline of 2030.
• Jal Jeevan Mission
  • Building on the momentum of SBM, the Jal Jeevan Mission was launched in 2019 with the aim of delivering clean drinking water to every rural household.
  • This initiative goes beyond infrastructure, it is a foundational investment in human potential.
  • Research by Nobel Laureate Dr. Michael Kremer found that universal tap water access could prevent 136,000 child deaths annually, while WHO estimates suggest the potential to avert over 400,000 diarrhoeal deaths.
  • The mission has also had a transformative effect on gender roles, saving 5.5 crore hours daily, time that was previously spent by women fetching water, and enabling increased female participation in agriculture and allied activities.

The Impact of India’s Transformative Rural Missions

• According to the World Health Organisation, over 300,000 diarrhoeal deaths were averted between 2014 and 2019.
• Additionally, children in non-ODF areas experienced 58% higher rates of wasting, as noted by the Gates Foundation.
• UNICEF studies from 2017 highlight improved safety and health, particularly for women, with 93% reporting feeling more secure after gaining access to home toilets.
• The broader financial impact is equally significant, with rural households saving approximately ₹50,000 annually in healthcare costs.
• Moreover, environmental benefits include significantly reduced groundwater contamination, contributing to long-term public health resilience.

Key Features of India’s Sanitation and Water Initiatives

• Integrating Public Health with Holistic Rural Development
  • What makes India’s sanitation and water initiatives particularly noteworthy is their integration with broader development goals.
  • The Sujal and Swachh Gaon campaign exemplifies this convergence, unifying efforts in water access, hygiene, and waste management at the village level.
  • With over 5.07 lakh villages now equipped with solid waste management systems and 5.23 lakh managing liquid waste, India is building a sustainable, preventive healthcare model from the grassroots up.
• Focus on Women Empowerment
  • This transformation also reflects a powerful gender dynamic.
  • Far from being passive beneficiaries, women are emerging as central agents of change, from water quality testers to sanitation entrepreneurs and community leaders.
  • Over 2.48 million women have been trained in water testing, while self-help groups are managing sanitation infrastructure and producing sanitary napkins.
  • This evolution not only fosters gender equity but reinforces the notion that true public health must empower communities from within.
• Public Health as a Multisectoral Endeavour
  • The most profound insight from India’s journey is the understanding that health cannot be the mandate of one ministry alone.
  • It is the outcome of collaborative efforts across sectors, including water, sanitation, nutrition, education, and rural development.
  • The convergence of these domains underlines a crucial shift in public policy: from compartmentalized governance to integrated action.
• A Global Blueprint for Sustainable Development
  • India’s WASH revolution (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) is not an isolated national achievement; it offers a blueprint for the world, especially countries in the Global South facing similar challenges.
  • Its emphasis on behavioural change, community ownership, and inter-ministerial collaboration makes it a model worth emulating.
  • As the nation moves towards achieving the SDGs, it does so not with insularity, but with a spirit of global cooperation.

Conclusion

• As the world celebrates health on this special day, India’s example reminds us that the foundations of good health lie not just in hospitals or medicine, but in homes, with access to clean water, safe sanitation, and empowered communities.
• Through SBM and JJM, India has demonstrated that political will, community participation, and technological innovation can coalesce to transform public health.
• As the nation continues its march towards a Viksit Bharat, its experiences, insights, and models stand as valuable lessons for global cooperation and development.
• India remains committed to sharing its journey and co-creating a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world.

Q1 What is the main message of India’s approach to health and sanitation?
Ans. Health and sanitation are interconnected and must be addressed together for sustainable development.

Q2. What impact did the Swachh Bharat Mission have on public health?
Ans. It helped make India open defecation free and prevented over 3 lakh diarrhoeal deaths.

Q3. How does the Jal Jeevan Mission empower women?
Ans. By providing tap water at home, it saves time and increases women’s participation in productive work.

Q4. Why is India’s WASH model considered global?
Ans. It uses community-led innovations and technology that can be adapted by other developing countries.

Q5. What does India’s journey highlight about health governance?
Ans. Effective health outcomes require collaboration across multiple sectors, not just healthcare. 

Source:The Hindu

Context:

• A comprehensive study titled "Status of Policing in India Report (SPIR) 2024" was recently released by Common Cause (NGO), in collaboration with the Lokniti Programme of the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS).
• The report highlights systemic issues of police violence, torture, and lack of accountability, based on interactions with 8,276 police personnel across 17 states and Union Territories.

Understanding Torture - International and Indian Context:

• Definition under UNCAT (1984): Torture involves the intentional infliction of severe physical or mental pain by or at the behest of a public official, for purposes such as punishment, coercion, or discrimination.
• India’s position: Signed the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) in 1997, but not ratified, making it non-binding legally.

Key Findings of the Report:

• Perception of 'tough methods' in policing:
  • 55% of police personnel support the use of tough methods to create fear among the public.
  • Ambiguity exists on what constitutes “tough methods” vs. torture.
• Mob violence and encounters:
  • 25% justify mob justice in cases like sexual harassment and child lifting.
  • 22% believe in encounter killings over legal trials.
  • 74%, however, support legal procedures even for dangerous criminals.
• Compliance with arrest procedures:
  • 41% of police claim procedures are “always” followed.
  • 24% admit procedures are “rarely or never” followed.
  • Kerala reports highest compliance at 94%.
• Use of third-degree methods:
  • 30% justify third-degree torture in serious cases. 9% justify even in petty cases.
  • Victims mostly from marginalised groups: Dalits, Adivasis, Muslims, illiterates, and slum dwellers.
• Custodial deaths:
  • Agency - custodial deaths reported (2020): NCRB (76), NHRC (70), National Campaign Against Torture (NCAT, a civil society initiative) (111).
  • Zero convictions for custodial deaths during 2018–2022.
• Judicial, medical apathy:
  • Judiciary:
    • There was consensus among lawyers and judges that confessions to the police should never be made inadmissible.
    • Magistrates often act as “silent spectators”, rarely interacting with the accused or recording arrest details.
  • Medical examination: Conducted by doctors without forensic expertise. Sometimes done by eye specialists or anesthesiologists.
  • National Human Rights Commission (NHRC): It has been criticised for not defining torture and for its “coloured attitude” towards the victims of torture.
• Encouraging insights from the report:
  • 79% of police favour human rights training.
  • 71% support prevention of torture.
  • 79% favour evidence-based interrogation techniques.

Structural Causes Behind Police Torture in India:

• Colonial legacy of policing.
• Lack of accountability
• Political and bureaucratic pressure for quick results.
• Inadequate training and legal literacy.
• Public tolerance of extra-legal methods due to delays in the criminal justice system.

Global Practices - A Comparative Perspective:

• United States: Brutal interrogation at Guantanamo Bay.
• Iraq: Torture at Abu Ghraib prison.
• Russia, China, Pakistan: Poor human rights records in custodial practices.

Recommendations and Way Forward:

• Enact a comprehensive anti-torture law.
• Malimath Committee: Suggested that confessions made before a senior police officer of the rank of Superintendent or above should be admissible in evidence with safeguards to prevent coercion.
• The Law Commission of India (in its 69th Report (1977)): Proposed introducing Section 26A in the Indian Evidence Act to make confessions before senior police officers admissible.
• Ratify UNCAT.
• Implement Supreme Court directives for insulating police from external pressures.
• Promote professionalism, accountability, and human rights sensitivity in policing.

Conclusion:

• The Common Cause-CSDS report paints a sobering picture of the persistence of police torture and the lack of institutional accountability in India.
• The findings reveal deep-rooted structural and attitudinal issues within the police force.
• Therefore, a humane, rights-based, and professional police force is not only essential for upholding the rule of law but also for rebuilding public trust in the criminal justice system.
• Addressing police torture is not just a legal or administrative imperative - it is a moral and constitutional duty.

Q1. What is the status of India with respect to the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT)?

Ans. India signed the UNCAT in 1997 but has not ratified it, making it not legally binding on the country.

Q2. What are the key reasons behind the continued use of torture by police in India?

Ans. The persistence of torture is due to the colonial legacy of policing, lack of accountability, political pressure, poor training, and public acceptance of extra-legal methods.

Q3. Which sections of society are most vulnerable to police torture according to the Common Cause-CSDS report?

Ans. The victims are primarily from marginalised communities such as Dalits, Adivasis, Muslims, illiterates, and urban poor.

Q4. How does the Indian judiciary and medical system contribute to the problem of custodial torture?

Ans. Magistrates often remain passive, and medical examinations are frequently done by non-specialists, failing to identify or record signs of torture.

Q5. What measures are recommended to make policing more humane and accountable in India?

Ans. The report recommends ratifying UNCAT, enacting anti-torture legislation, ensuring human rights training, and implementing Supreme Court-mandated police reforms.

Source:IE