1. U.S. Exit from WHO: A Challenge and an Opportunity for Global Health Governance
Introduction
- On January 20, 2025, the United States issued an executive order to withdraw from the World Health Organization (WHO).
- The move has sparked concerns about WHO’s functionality due to reduced funding.
- However, this withdrawal can also be an opportunity to strengthen global health governance, especially with the increasing role of Asian and African countries.
- WHO’s Funding Mechanism & Impact of U.S. Exit
- WHO has two major sources of funding:
- Assessed Contributions (AC): Fixed membership fees paid by member states, ensuring stable operations.
- Voluntary Contributions (VC): Donations from governments and private entities, often tied to specific projects.
- The U.S. is one of the largest funders of WHO, particularly through VCs.
- Withdrawal may create financial instability in WHO, especially for projects that rely on U.S. funds.
- Why Institutions Like WHO Are Important
- Strong institutions are fundamental to global governance, as emphasized by scholars like Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson.
- Global health challenges (e.g., antimicrobial resistance, climate change, re-emergence of diseases) demand a robust WHO.
- Strengthening WHO is crucial to ensuring global health security.
- Need for Greater Role of Asian & African Nations
- The U.S. withdrawal provides an opportunity for other nations to step up in global health leadership.
- Emerging economies like India, China, Brazil, South Africa, and Thailand should increase their contributions to WHO.
- African nations, where health challenges are most acute, should have a stronger voice in WHO decision-making.
- Reforms to Strengthen WHO Post-U.S. Exit
- Diversifying Funding Sources: WHO should rely less on specific countries and build a broader financial base.
- Decentralization of WHO Offices: Moving key offices from Geneva to regional hubs (e.g., Congo, Manila, or New Delhi) for better accessibility.
- Enhancing Global Collaboration: Low- and middle-income countries should increase partnerships and expertise sharing.
Conclusion
- The U.S. exit from WHO is a challenge but also an opportunity for reforming global health governance.
- Stronger participation from Asian and African countries can ensure a more balanced, effective, and resilient WHO.
- The future of global health should not be dependent on any single nation but on a collective, cooperative effort.
Bottom of FormMains Practice Question |
Q. Critically analyze the impact of the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). How can emerging economies contribute to strengthening global health governance? |
2. India-Indonesia Relations: Strengthening Strategic and Economic Partnerships
Introduction
- India and Indonesia share a long history of diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties.
- Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto was the chief guest at India’s 76th Republic Day celebrations, highlighting the deep bilateral relations.
- As two of the fastest-growing economies, both nations have the potential to shape regional security and trade in the Indo-Pacific.
- Evolution of India-Indonesia Ties
- Relations date back to India’s first Republic Day in 1950 when Indonesian President Sukarno was the chief guest.
- Over the decades, ties have expanded across trade, politics, and defense cooperation.
- Indonesia has had four Presidents as chief guests at India’s Republic Day, signifying strong diplomatic bonds.
- Key Areas of Cooperation
- a) Trade and Economic Growth
- Bilateral trade is currently at $30 billion, with potential to quadruple in the next decade.
- India and Indonesia are growing at 6.5% and 5.1%, respectively, higher than the global average of 3.3%.
- Sectors of focus: Energy, agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing, and technology.
- Indian investment in Indonesia stands at $1.56 billion, while Indonesian investment in India is $653.8 million—indicating room for deeper economic engagement.
- b) Security and Strategic Partnership
- Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (2018) has strengthened maritime security in shared waters.
- Focus on counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and defense collaborations to ensure Indo-Pacific stability.
- c) Global and Geopolitical Context
- Both India and Indonesia navigate evolving global power dynamics.
- Indonesia recently invited to BRICS, aligning with India, China, and other emerging economies.
- Both nations maintain relations with the U.S. and Western countries while countering trade uncertainties (e.g., tariffs and non-tariff barriers).
- Indonesia is a key source of natural resources like nickel, copper, tin, and bauxite, essential for India’s industrial needs.
Conclusion
- India and Indonesia’s partnership is over 76 years old and continues to grow stronger.
- Expanding cooperation in trade, security, and geopolitics will not only benefit the two nations but also enhance regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.
- Strengthening ties will pave the way for a prosperous and sustainable future for Asia.
Mains Practice Question |
Q. Discuss the evolving India-Indonesia bilateral relationship with a focus on trade, security, and geopolitical significance in the Indo-Pacific region. |
3. Financial Toxicity of Cancer Care in India: Challenges and the Way Forward
Introduction
- Cancer treatment in India is expensive, often pushing patients and their families into financial distress.
- The cost burden includes direct medical expenses (diagnostics, medicines, hospitalization) and non-medical costs (travel, lodging, food).
- Limited public healthcare funding and high out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses exacerbate the problem, making cancer care unaffordable for many.
- Challenges in Cancer Care Affordability
- a) High Cost of Treatment
- Advanced treatments like genomics-based precision medicine, immunotherapy, and proton therapy remain inaccessible to most.
- A single cancer treatment cycle can cost ₹10-25 lakh, draining family savings.
- Public hospitals face shortages of healthcare personnel, diagnostic facilities, and essential medicines.
- b) Public vs. Private Healthcare System
- Public health expenditure in India is less than 2% of GDP, leading to overcrowded and under-resourced public hospitals.
- Private healthcare dominates, but high costs make it unaffordable for lower-income groups.
- Outpatient expenses, post-discharge care, and follow-up tests require OOP payments, constituting nearly 50% of total healthcare costs.
- Government and NGO Interventions
- a) Government Schemes
- Ayushman Bharat covers inpatient costs but does not fully address diagnostic and outpatient expenses.
- Some states (Delhi, Maharashtra, Punjab, Kerala) offer subsidized cancer care.
- Travel subsidies for cancer patients in Indian Railways and Air India and free bus travel in states like Himachal Pradesh and Haryana help reduce indirect costs.
- b) Role of NGOs and Philanthropy
- Large NGOs work across the cancer care spectrum, from prevention to treatment.
- Smaller organizations assist low-income patients with paperwork, funding, and hospital arrangements.
- The National Cancer Grid has reduced treatment costs for 40 high-value drugs by 82% through pooled procurement.
- c) Corporate and Individual Philanthropy
- CSR Funding: Under the Companies Act 2013, corporates must allocate 2% of net profits to social causes. In 2022-23, the healthcare sector received over ₹6,800 crore in CSR funds.
- Individual philanthropy remains underutilized, with only a small fraction of high-net-worth individuals contributing to cancer care.
- Addressing Financial Toxicity in Cancer Care
- Increased public healthcare investment to reduce OOP expenses.
- Expansion of government insurance schemes to cover diagnostics and outpatient care.
- Strengthening public-private partnerships (PPPs) for affordable treatment.
- Enhancing early diagnosis programs to reduce late-stage treatment costs.
- Promoting awareness and financial support mechanisms through NGOs and CSR initiatives.
Conclusion
- The financial toxicity of cancer care in India is a pressing issue, affecting not just patients but entire families.
- A multi-pronged approach involving government funding, NGO efforts, CSR contributions, and better healthcare policies is essential to making cancer treatment accessible.
- Strategic interventions at both national and grassroots levels can help reduce the economic burden and improve health outcomes for cancer patients.
Mains Practice Question |
Q. Examine the financial challenges faced by cancer patients in India. How can government policies, NGOs, and private sector initiatives help in reducing the financial burden of cancer treatment? |
