NCERT Class 7 Polity Chapter 2 – Role of the Government in Health (Notes)

Chapter 2: Role of the government in health

These NCERT Class 7 Polity Chapter 2 notes explain the important role played by the government in providing healthcare to citizens. The chapter helps students understand that health is a basic need and cannot be left entirely to private hospitals and doctors.

Role of the Government in Health discusses the meaning of health, differences between public and private healthcare services, and the major problems in India’s health system. It also explains why the government must ensure healthcare facilities for all, especially the poor.

This chapter helps students understand the link between health, dignity, and the Right to Life in a democratic country like India.

1. Introduction: Why health is a government responsibility

Health is a basic need of every human being.
A healthy person can study, work, and live with dignity.
In India, healthcare is not equally available to all people.
Poor people depend more on government hospitals.
This chapter explains why the government must play a key role in health.
Just like roads and schools, healthcare cannot be left only to private players.

2. Meaning of health

Health does not only mean absence of disease.
Health includes physical well-being, mental well-being, and social well-being.
Clean water, proper food, and safe surroundings are part of good health.

3. Healthcare facilities in India

Healthcare services in India are of two types.

A. Public health services

Public health services are run by the government.
These include government hospitals, Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and Community Health Centres.
Treatment is free or at low cost.
Services are available to all citizens.
Government hospitals provide free vaccination.

B. Private health services

Private health services are run by private doctors and private hospitals.
Treatment in private hospitals is expensive.
These services are profit-oriented.
Private hospitals charge high fees for surgery.

4. Problems in India’s health system

India faces several problems in its health system.

A. Unequal distribution of health facilities

Rural areas have fewer hospitals and doctors.
Urban areas have better health facilities.
Villagers travel long distances for treatment.

B. High cost of private healthcare

Poor people cannot afford private hospitals.
Many families fall into debt due to medical bills.

C. Shortage of doctors and medicines

Government hospitals often lack doctors, beds, and medicines.

5. Role of government in health

The government has a major responsibility to ensure health for all.

A. Providing public healthcare

The government builds hospitals and health centres.
It appoints doctors and nurses.
It supplies free or low-cost medicines.

B. Preventing diseases

The government runs vaccination programmes.
It conducts disease control campaigns.
The Pulse Polio Programme is an important example.

C. Improving living conditions

The government provides clean drinking water.
It improves sanitation facilities.
It works on pollution control.
Prevention is better than cure.

6. Health as a right

The Indian Constitution links health with the Right to Life.
The government must ensure basic healthcare to all citizens.
The Supreme Court, in the Paschim Banga Khet Mazdoor Samity case, recognised the right to emergency medical care.

7. Case study: Patalpuram

Water shortage led to the spread of diseases.
Children suffered from diarrhoea.
People protested and demanded government action.
The government is responsible for handling public health crises.

8. Indian examples from daily life

Government hospitals played a key role during COVID-19.
The government organised free vaccination drives.
The Ayushman Bharat scheme supports poor families.

9. Important keywords with simple meanings

Health – a state of physical, mental, and social well-being.
Public health – healthcare services provided by the government.
Private health services – healthcare services run by private hospitals and doctors for profit.
Right to Life – a constitutional right that includes the right to live a healthy life.
Vaccination – giving medicine to protect people from diseases.
Sanitation – facilities and practices that keep surroundings clean and healthy.

Understanding NCERT Class 7 Polity Chapter 2 – Role of the Government in Health is important to learn why healthcare is a public responsibility in a democracy. The chapter clearly explains how unequal access to health services affects the poor and why government intervention is necessary.

The ideas discussed in this chapter help students understand public welfare, health rights, and government responsibility and are highly useful for school examinations and foundation-level preparation.

Students should next read Chapter 3: How the State Government Works to understand how state governments function and take decisions in a democratic system.

FAQs

Q1. What does health mean according to this chapter?
Health means complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not just absence of disease.

Q2. What is the difference between public and private healthcare?
Public healthcare is provided by the government at low or no cost, while private healthcare is run by private hospitals and is expensive.

Q3. Why should the government play a role in health?
Because healthcare is essential for dignity and private hospitals are not affordable for everyone.

Q4. How is health linked to the Right to Life?
The Right to Life includes the right to live a healthy life and access basic medical care.

Q5. Why is NCERT Class 7 Polity Chapter 2 important for exams?
It explains public health, government responsibility, and healthcare rights, making it important for school exams and foundation-level preparation.