28 August 2024 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis
1. Advancing equity, from COVID-19 to Mpox
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)
| Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Health |
| Context |
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Mpox Declared as a Public Health Emergency
- Less than five years after the COVID-19 pandemic, the world faces a new threat as the World Health Organization (WHO) declares mpox (formerly monkeypox) a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
- The outbreak began in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and has spread to over a dozen African countries. Cases have also been reported in Sweden, Pakistan, and the Philippines, indicating global transmission.
- This declaration follows the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s (AfricaCDC) declaration of a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS), marking the first instance where both regional and global health emergencies have been declared for the same disease.
WHO’s Role Post-2024 IHR Amendments
- This is the first PHEIC declared since the May 2024 amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR), emphasising equity as a core principle, although these reforms take effect in 2025.
- WHO’s role as a facilitator of essential medical products during emergencies will be expanded, and the global response to mpox must align with these values.
Importance of International Cooperation
- A PHEIC declaration is meant to foster collaboration among countries, international organisations, and non-governmental entities.
- This triggers the rapid mobilisation of financial and technical resources, including emergency funding, medical supplies, and deployment of health-care workers.
Vaccine Availability and the Mpox Response
- One critical difference between the mpox outbreak and COVID-19 is the availability of a vaccine.
- The Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic (MVA-BN), also known as Jynneos, is already in production.
- Regulatory authorities in the EU, UK, US, Switzerland, and Canada have approved the MVA-BN vaccine.
- Indian manufacturers are positioned to play a vital role in producing and distributing the vaccine, similar to their contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic with the production of Covishield.
Addressing Vaccine Production Challenges
- The AfricaCDC estimates a need for 10 million doses of the vaccine to combat the outbreak, but only 0.21 million doses are currently available. Bavarian Nordic has the capacity to manufacture 10 million doses by the end of 2025.
- Indian manufacturers like the Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech, and Zydus Cadila have the expertise to scale up vaccine production.
- Expanding production will require technology transfers and the sharing of patents, biological resources, and crucial know-how.
The Role of Technology Transfers
- Comprehensive technology transfers are vital for scaling up production, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), ensuring they are not reliant on “charity” from wealthier nations.
- India’s government should negotiate with Bavarian Nordic and collaborate with international organisations like WHO, Gavi, and CEPI to facilitate the transfer of technology and manufacturing capabilities.
- On August 7, India’s drug regulatory agency, CDSCO, waived the requirement for clinical trials for drugs and vaccines approved in countries like the US, UK, and EU, which will expedite the availability of critical vaccines like MVA-BN in India.
Conclusion: A Call for Action
- The global response to the mpox outbreak presents an opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to equitable health care by ensuring widespread vaccine access, especially to those most in need.
- Prioritising technology transfers and leveraging India’s manufacturing capabilities will help prevent further outbreaks and strengthen preparedness for future public health emergencies.
| PYQ: Critically examine the role of WHO in providing global health security during the Covid-19 pandemic. (150 words/10m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2020) |
| Practice Question: Discuss the significance of international cooperation and equitable vaccine access in managing the mpox outbreak, in light of recent global health emergencies and the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. (150 Words /10 marks) |
2. India needs to develop a care ecosystem
| Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Health |
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)
| Context |
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Low Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) in India
- India’s Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) was 37% in 2022-23, significantly lower than the global average of 47.8%.
- Although an improvement from 23.3% in 2017-18, 37.5% of women in the workforce are “unpaid helpers in household enterprises,” contributing to unpaid labour outside domestic work.
- Women’s participation in the economy is essential for reducing gender inequality, but one of the primary reasons for their low participation is the disproportionate care burden placed on them within families.
Burden of Care on Women
- Women aged 15-64 in India spend approximately three times more time on unpaid domestic work compared to men.
- This burden includes not only childcare but also care for elderly, sick, and disabled family members, along with routine household tasks.
- These care responsibilities hinder women’s ability to actively participate in the workforce and contribute to the economy.
Importance of Childcare Support
- Addressing childcare needs is crucial to increasing women’s participation in the workforce. Some state governments have initiated childcare services through Anganwadi networks.
- In the 2024-25 Budget, there was a 3% increase in the Ministry of Women and Child Development’s allocation for the integrated childcare and nutrition programme (Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 scheme).
- Models of community-based creches are operational in some states, with partnerships between government and non-government organisations, offering replicable, scalable, and financially sustainable approaches.
- Expanding childcare networks, especially in rural, tribal, and urban areas, is vital for improving women’s access to the labour force.
Expanding the Care Perspective
- Focusing solely on childcare needs limits the broader issue. Women are often the primary caregivers for household members across their entire life cycle.
- The demand for external caregivers is rising, especially in urban areas, but the sector remains unregulated, with no standardised processes for hiring care workers.
- Domestic workers, who often double as caregivers, face low wages, lack of protection, and inadequate training.
Creating a Comprehensive Care Ecosystem
- To relieve women of their excessive care responsibilities, a comprehensive care ecosystem is needed.
- This ecosystem must ensure safe, high-quality, and affordable care by well-trained workers who earn fair wages and are treated with dignity.
- A needs-based assessment of care services across age groups, socio-economic statuses, and geographies should be developed, along with a mapping of supply-side actors from public, private, and non-profit sectors.
Care Worker Policy and Challenges
- As the demand for care increases due to rising health and disability concerns, the availability and quality of care workers have become a pressing issue.
- Currently, care workers are hired through various channels, including placement agencies and home healthcare companies.
- However, the absence of standards and regulations leads to varying accessibility, affordability, and quality of care services.
- Policy intervention is urgently needed to address the challenges faced by the care economy.
Perspectives on the Care Economy
- The World Economic Forum’s report on the “Future of Care Economy” identifies three perspectives:
- The care economy as an engine for economic productivity.
- The care economy as a business opportunity for organisations.
- The care economy from a human rights perspective focusing on gender equality and disability inclusion.
Need for a Comprehensive Policy
- India needs a comprehensive policy that defines the care ecosystem from a life course perspective.
- A committee involving multiple ministries, including Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, Labour and Employment, Social Justice and Empowerment, and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, should initiate the process.
- By formalising the care economy, expanding support services, and implementing policy interventions, India can empower women, reduce gender inequality, and boost overall economic productivity and inclusivity.
| Practice Question: Examine the impact of unpaid care responsibilities on women’s economic participation in India. Discuss the need for comprehensive policy interventions to create a formal care economy and improve Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR). (250 Words /15 marks) |
