The correct option is (a).
Explanation
The National Health Policy (NHP), 2017 aims to shape the health system in all its dimensions-investments in health, organization of healthcare services, prevention of diseases, and promotion of good health through cross-sectoral actions.- Statement 1 is Correct: The primary aim of the National Health Policy is to inform, clarify, strengthen, and prioritize the role of the Government in shaping health systems. It explicitly aims at improving the accessibility of healthcare, ensuring financial protection, and providing family welfare services to ensure population stabilization.
- Statement 2 is Correct: A key principle of the policy is Equity. It seeks to minimize disparity on account of gender, poverty, caste, disability, and other forms of social exclusion. Consequently, it places a special focus on the underprivileged and vulnerable segments of the population to ensure no one is left behind.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: While India has successfully eliminated specific diseases like Polio, Guinea Worm, and Yaws, it has not eliminated all communicable diseases. Major communicable diseases such as Tuberculosis, Malaria, HIV/AIDS, and Vector-Borne Diseases continue to pose public health challenges. The NHP 2017 sets specific targets for the elimination of diseases (e.g., Leprosy, Kala-Azar, Lymphatic Filariasis, and Tuberculosis) by specific years, but total elimination has not yet been achieved.
Key Takeaway: The National Health Policy prioritizes universal access, equity, and affordability in healthcare but operates with specific future targets for the elimination of various communicable diseases rather than having already achieved total elimination.