Health & Nutrition Schemes — Set 18

Correct Answer: B. Real-time monitoring of vaccine stock and cold chain temperatures across India

eVIN (Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network) is a technology platform deployed by MoHFW (with UNDP support) to provide real-time visibility of vaccine stocks and cold chain temperatures in government vaccine stores across India. eVIN uses smartphones and a cloud-based application to track vaccine logistics across 25,000+ cold chain points. It has significantly reduced vaccine wastage, stock-outs, and cold chain failures, improving immunization programme efficiency.

Correct Answer: B. Chloroquine for P.vivax and Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT) for P.falciparum

India's malaria treatment guidelines recommend Chloroquine for Plasmodium vivax malaria and Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) for Plasmodium falciparum malaria. WHO recommends ACT due to widespread chloroquine resistance in P.falciparum. Primaquine is given to prevent relapse in P.vivax cases. India aims for malaria elimination by 2030 through National Framework for Malaria Elimination 2016-2030.

Correct Answer: B. Any national emergency or pandemic response, including healthcare infrastructure

PM-CARES (Prime Minister's Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations) Fund was established on March 28, 2020 as a public charitable trust to respond to COVID-19 pandemic. PM-CARES funded procurement of ventilators, COVID-19 vaccine development (DBT support to indigenous vaccines), PPE kits, oxygen plants, and hospital infrastructure. It is separate from PM National Relief Fund (PMNRF) and handles emergency situations broadly.

Correct Answer: C. Cervavac

Cervavac is India's first indigenously developed Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (QHPV) vaccine developed by Serum Institute of India in collaboration with Department of Biotechnology (DBT). Cervavac was approved by DCGI in July 2022 for protection against cervical cancer-causing HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in Indian women. The Government of India introduced HPV vaccination in Universal Immunization Programme.

Correct Answer: B. 47%

India's National Health Accounts (NHA) 2019-20 estimates Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) on health at 47.1% of Total Health Expenditure, down from 64.2% in 2013-14. This decline reflects improved public health spending through PM-JAY, NHM, and free essential medicine schemes. Government Health Expenditure (GHE) as % of total health expenditure has increased to 41.4% from 28.6%. Further reduction in OOPE is targeted through UHC efforts.

Correct Answer: B. Polio

National Immunization Day (NID) or Pulse Polio Immunization (PPI) programme was initiated in 1995-96 to administer Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) to all children below 5 years on specific NID days. Repeated pulse polio drives in high-risk areas led to India becoming polio-free in 2014. Even after polio elimination, NID dates continue with OPV alongside routine immunization to maintain herd immunity. India will shift from OPV to IPV as part of global polio eradication strategy.

Correct Answer: A. 66th

India ranked 66th in the Global Health Security Index (GHSI) 2021 out of 195 countries, down from 57th in 2019. GHSI assesses countries' capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health emergencies. India's COVID-19 vaccination programme and digital health initiatives received recognition. Continued investment in public health infrastructure, lab networks, and surveillance through PM-ABHIM is expected to improve India's GHSI ranking.

Correct Answer: B. Common ailments like ORS, IFA tablets, chloroquine, contraceptives, and basic medicines

ASHA Drug Kit (ADK) provided to ASHA workers under NHM contains essential medicines and supplies for managing common ailments at community level including Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS), Iron and Folic Acid (IFA) tablets, chloroquine, condoms, oral contraceptive pills, paracetamol, cotrimoxazole, and other basic medicines. ASHAs use these kits for first-line management of diarrhea, fever, minor infections, and provision of family planning services. This fact is important for competitive examinations and is frequently asked in RRB NTPC, SSC, and state PSC exams.

Correct Answer: B. National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO)

National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO) established under Ministry of Health and Family Welfare serves as the National Registry for organ and tissue donation and transplantation. NOTTO coordinates with Regional and State Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisations (ROTTOs and SOTTOs) to facilitate deceased donor transplantation. India has 'Opt-in' system for organ donation. The National Organ Transplant Programme promotes deceased donor organ donation to reduce organ shortage.

Correct Answer: B. Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

Ayushman Bharat scheme (both HWC and PM-JAY components) is India's key initiative towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) - the principle that all people should have access to needed health services without financial hardship. India's UHC agenda includes strengthening primary care through HWCs, providing financial protection through PM-JAY, building health infrastructure through PM-ABHIM, and creating digital health ecosystem through ABDM. India's UHC commitment is aligned with SDG Goal 3.8.