In order to enhance the prospects of social development, sound and adequate health care policies are needed particularly in the fields of geriatric and maternal health care. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words)

Geriatric and maternal health are essential to social development because they affect intergenerational well-being, productivity, dignity and equality.

India’s ageing population faces non-communicable diseases, disability, dementia, loneliness and financial insecurity. Policies should expand primary screening, geriatric clinics, home-based and palliative care, physiotherapy, mental-health services, social pensions and trained caregivers. Age-friendly public infrastructure and health insurance portability are equally important.

Maternal mortality is linked to malnutrition, anaemia, early marriage, inadequate antenatal care, unsafe deliveries and weak referral systems. Universal antenatal check-ups, institutional delivery, skilled birth attendance, emergency obstetric care, postnatal follow-up, reproductive autonomy and nutrition programmes are necessary. Special attention is required for tribal, migrant and remote populations.

India needs higher public health expenditure, stronger primary healthcare, interoperable digital records, accountable frontline workers and district-level outcome monitoring. Community participation and convergence among health, nutrition, sanitation, women and child development departments can make services accessible and continuous.

Social development; geriatric care; maternal health; primary healthcare; maternal mortality; ageing; universal health coverage.