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India needs more focus to reach SDG 3, a crucial goal

19 Sep 2025 GS 1 Social Issues
India needs more focus to reach SDG 3, a crucial goal Click to view full image

Context

  • India ranked 99/167 in the 2025 SDG Index, improving from 109 in 2024.

  • Despite progress in access to services, health and nutrition remain weak links.

  • Focus: SDG 3 – Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Current Gaps in Health Outcomes

  1. Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR):

    • Current: 97 per 100,000 live births

    • Target (2030): 70

  2. Under-five Mortality Rate (U5MR):

    • Current: 32 per 1,000 live births

    • Target (2030): 25

    • Developed countries: 2–6

  3. Life Expectancy:

    • Current: 70 years

    • Target (2030): 73.63 years

  4. Out-of-Pocket Expenditure:

    • Current: 13% of household consumption

    • Target (2030): 7.83%

  5. Immunisation Coverage:

    • Current: 93.23%

    • Target: 100%

Reasons for Gaps

  • Economic factors: Poor infrastructure, financial barriers.

  • Non-economic factors: Malnutrition, sanitation, hygiene gaps.

  • Cultural barriers: Stigma around mental/sexual health, limited awareness.

Three-pronged Strategy

1. Universal Health Insurance

  • Protect families from catastrophic health spending.

  • Example: Countries with strong insurance systems show greater equity in access (World Bank).

2. Strengthening Primary Health Care

  • Build high-quality PHCs, ensure coordination with secondary and tertiary care.

  • Evidence: WHO World Health Statistics (2022) – strong primary systems detect diseases earlier and reduce hospitalisation costs.

  • Digital tools: telemedicine, digital health records (Lancet Digital Health Commission) bridge rural access gaps.

3. Preventive Health Education (School-level)

  • Teach nutrition, hygiene, reproductive health, mental health, road safety.

  • Improves health behaviour from a young age.

  • International Lessons:

    • Finland (1970s): School health reforms reduced cardiovascular diseases.

    • Japan: Compulsory health education → improved hygiene, longer life expectancy.

  • Potential outcomes in India:

    • Lower MMR, U5MR, road accident deaths.

    • Higher life expectancy, immunisation rates.

Way Forward

  • Policy Actions:

    • Embed health education in curricula.

    • Invest in universal health coverage + primary care infrastructure.

  • Parental Role:

    • Demand inclusion of physical, mental, and social health topics in school education.

  • Long-term Vision:

    • While SDG 3 deadline is 2030, India should aim at Viksit Bharat 2047 with a healthier population.



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