Public Health Administration Practice Questions

Q: The "Group on Medical Education and Support Manpower" is popularly known as which committee?

Shrivastav Committee. **Explanation:** The **Shrivastav Committee (1975)**, officially titled the **"Group on Medical Education and Support Manpower,"** was established to determine how medical education could be reoriented to meet national health priorities. Its primary objective was to create a curriculum that produced doctors capable of serving rural populations. **Key Recommendations of the Shrivastav Committee:** 1. **Reorientation of Medical Education (ROME) Scheme:** Aimed at involving medical colleges in the direct delivery of health services to rural areas. 2. **Creation of Health Assistants:** Recommended a cadre of middle-level workers (Health Assistants) to act as a link between peripheral workers and Medical Officers. 3. **Village Health Guide Scheme:** Proposed training community volunteers to provide basic primary care. **Analysis of Incorrect Options:** * **Kartar Singh Committee (1973):** Known as the "Committee on Multipurpose Workers under Health and Family Planning." It introduced the concept of the **Multipurpose Worker (MPW)**. * **Mudaliar Committee (1962):** Known as the "Health Survey and Planning Committee." It focused on strengthening the district-level health administration and recommended that a Primary Health Centre (PHC) should not serve more than 40,000 people. * **Bhore Committee (1946):** Known as the "Health Survey and Development Committee." It is the foundation of India’s health system, recommending the "Integration of Preventive and Curative Services" and the "3-tier health system." **High-Yield NEET-PG Pearls:** * **Shrivastav = Support Manpower** (Mnemonic: "S" for Shrivastav, "S" for Support). * **Kartar Singh = Multipurpose Workers** (Mnemonic: Kartar "Karts" many purposes). * **Bhore = Development** (The first committee, focused on the overall development of the system). * **Mudaliar = Planning** (Post-independence planning and consolidation).

Q: Which of the following is NOT a component of primary health care?

Adequate housing. The concept of **Primary Health Care (PHC)** was defined at the **Alma-Ata Conference (1978)**. It identifies eight essential components required to achieve "Health for All." ### Why "Adequate Housing" is the Correct Answer While housing is a significant social determinant of health, it is **not** one of the eight specific components listed in the Alma-Ata Declaration. The declaration focuses on direct health interventions and basic environmental sanitation rather than infrastructure like housing. ### Explanation of Incorrect Options (The 8 Components of PHC) The mnemonic **"ELEMENTS"** helps remember the components: * **E**ducation concerning prevailing health problems. * **L**ocal endemic disease control. * **E**xpanded programme on immunization (**EPI**). * **M**aternal and child health care, including family planning. * **E**ssential drugs provision (**Option D**). * **N**utrition and promotion of food supply (**Option A**). * **T**reatment of common diseases and injuries. * **S**afe water and basic sanitation (**Option C**). ### High-Yield NEET-PG Pearls * **The 4 Pillars of PHC:** Equitable distribution, Community participation, Intersectoral coordination, and Appropriate technology. * **Equitable Distribution:** This is the "keynote" of PHC, aiming to bridge the gap between the rural/poor and urban/rich. * **Intersectoral Coordination:** PHC involves sectors beyond health (e.g., agriculture, animal husbandry, education). * **Village Health Guides (VHG):** They represent the principle of community participation. * **Update:** In India, PHC is currently being revitalized through **Ayushman Bharat**, transforming Primary Health Centres into **Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs)**.

Q: Which of the following are functions of a Primary Health Centre (PHC)?

All of the above. **Explanation:** The Primary Health Centre (PHC) is the cornerstone of rural healthcare in India, acting as the first contact point between the village community and a Medical Officer. According to the **Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS)**, a PHC provides an integrated package of curative, preventive, and promotive services. **Why "All of the above" is correct:** A PHC is designed to handle a wide range of basic health needs: * **Referral Services:** PHCs act as a vital link in the referral chain. They manage cases within their capacity and refer complicated cases (e.g., high-risk pregnancies or surgical emergencies) to secondary levels like Community Health Centres (CHCs) or District Hospitals. * **Family Planning:** This is a core component of Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) services. PHCs provide counseling, contraceptives (condoms, OCPs), and often perform permanent sterilization procedures (Vasectomy/Tubectomy). * **Basic Laboratory Services:** Every PHC is equipped with a laboratory to perform essential tests such as hemoglobin estimation, urine analysis (albumin/sugar), blood sugar, and rapid diagnostic tests for Malaria and HIV. **Analysis of Options:** Options A, B, and C are all integral, non-negotiable functions of a PHC. Selecting any single option would be incomplete, making "All of the above" the most accurate choice. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Population Norms:** 1 PHC covers **30,000** people in plain areas and **20,000** in hilly/tribal/difficult areas. * **Bed Capacity:** A standard PHC has **4 to 6 beds**. * **Staffing:** Under IPHS, a PHC should have at least **1 Medical Officer** (Essential) and **13-15 support staff**. * **First Referral Unit (FRU):** Note that a PHC is *not* an FRU; the **CHC** is typically the first level of referral for emergency obstetric and newborn care.

Q: What is the population covered by a Female Health Worker?

5000 population. **Explanation:** In the Indian public health administrative hierarchy, the **Female Health Worker (FHW)**, also known as the **Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM)**, is the primary paramedical staff posted at the **Sub-Centre (SC)** level. 1. **Why Option A is correct:** According to the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS), a Sub-Centre is designed to cover a population of **5,000 in plain areas** and **3,000 in hilly, tribal, or difficult areas**. Since the Sub-Centre is typically manned by one Female Health Worker (ANM) and one Male Health Worker (MPW-M), the standard population coverage for an FHW is 5,000. 2. **Why other options are incorrect:** * **Option B (10,000):** This does not correspond to the standard coverage for a single FHW. However, in some urban health schemes, an ANM may cover a larger population, but for NEET-PG purposes, the rural norm of 5,000 is the gold standard. * **Option C (100):** This is too small. For comparison, a Village Health Guide or a Trained Dai usually operates at the village level (approx. 1,000 population), while an ASHA worker covers 1,000 people (400–800 in hilly areas). **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Sub-Centre (SC):** The peripheral contact point between the Primary Health Care system and the community. * **Staffing:** 1 FHW (ANM), 1 MHW, and 1 Safai-karmi. Under the **Ayushman Bharat** scheme, Sub-Centres are being upgraded to **Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs)**, which additionally include a Community Health Officer (CHO). * **Primary Health Centre (PHC):** Covers 30,000 (plains) / 20,000 (hilly) population. * **Community Health Centre (CHC):** Covers 1,20,000 (plains) / 80,000 (hilly) population.

Q: Who grants the license to a blood bank?

Drugs Controller General of India. **Explanation:** In India, blood is legally classified as a **"Drug"** under Section 3(b) of the **Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940**. Consequently, the regulation, manufacture, and sale of blood and its components fall under the jurisdiction of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). **1. Why the Correct Answer is Right:** The **Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI)**, who heads the CDSCO, is the Central Licensing Approving Authority. While the State Licensing Authority inspects the premises, the final license to operate a blood bank is granted/renewed by the DCGI. This ensures uniform standards for blood safety, screening for transfusion-transmitted infections (TTIs), and proper storage across the country. **2. Why the Other Options are Wrong:** * **Director General of Health Services (DGHS):** While the DGHS provides technical expertise to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, it does not have the statutory power to issue drug-related licenses. * **Director General, ICMR:** The ICMR is the apex body for the formulation and promotion of biomedical research; it is not a regulatory or licensing authority. * **Director General of Blood Bank Services:** This is a distractor; no such statutory designation exists for licensing. The National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC) handles policy matters, but not licensing. **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **Legal Status:** Blood is a "Drug" (Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940). * **Renewal:** Blood bank licenses are valid for **5 years**. * **Regulatory Body:** National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC) is the policy-making body, while NACO (National AIDS Control Organisation) provides technical support. * **Mandatory Screening:** In India, it is legally mandatory to screen all donated blood for five infections: **HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, and Malaria.**

Q: The LRS Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases is located at which city?

Delhi. **Explanation:** The **LRS (Lala Ram Sarup) Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases** is located in **New Delhi** (specifically in Mehrauli). Established in 1952, it is a premier autonomous institute under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. It serves as a tertiary care referral center and a key research hub for Tuberculosis and respiratory ailments. In 2012, it was renamed the **National Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases (NITRD)**. **Analysis of Options:** * **Delhi (Correct):** It is the headquarters of NITRD (formerly LRS), which plays a pivotal role in the implementation of the National TB Elimination Program (NTEP). * **Bangalore:** This city houses the **National Tuberculosis Institute (NTI)**, which is primarily responsible for operational research and training of medical personnel for the NTEP. * **Chennai:** This is the location of the **National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis (NIRT)**, formerly the Tuberculosis Chemotherapy Centre, known for its landmark trials on domiciliary treatment of TB. * **Chengalpettu:** This location is famous for the **BCG Vaccine Laboratory** and the historic BCG trial (the world's largest vaccine trial). **High-Yield Clinical Pearls for NEET-PG:** * **LRS/NITRD (Delhi):** Focuses on clinical management and tertiary care. * **NTI (Bangalore):** Focuses on epidemiology and program management. * **NIRT (Chennai):** Focuses on clinical trials and bacteriological research. * **World TB Day:** Observed on **March 24th** to commemorate Dr. Robert Koch’s discovery of *M. tuberculosis* in 1882. * **NTEP Goal:** India aims to eliminate TB by **2025**, five years ahead of the global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of 2030.

Q: Which of the following is NOT an element of Primary Health Care?

Primary school education. The concept of **Primary Health Care (PHC)** was defined during the **Alma-Ata Declaration (1978)**. It is based on the principle of "Health for All" and consists of eight essential components. ### Why "Primary school education" is the correct answer: While PHC emphasizes "Education concerning prevailing health problems and methods of preventing and controlling them," it does **not** include general primary school education. PHC focuses on health literacy and community awareness rather than the formal academic schooling system. ### Explanation of incorrect options (Elements of PHC): The eight essential elements of PHC are remembered by the acronym **"ELEMENTS"**: * **E**ducation (Health education) * **L**ocal endemic disease control * **E**xpanded program on immunization (**Option A**) * **M**aternal and child health, including **Family Planning** (**Option B**) * **E**ssential drugs provision * **N**utrition and food supply promotion (**Option C**) * **T**reatment of common diseases and injuries * **S**anitation and safe water supply ### NEET-PG High-Yield Pearls: * **Alma-Ata Declaration:** Held in **1978** in the USSR. It identified PHC as the key to attaining "Health for All by 2000 AD." * **Principles of PHC:** There are four pillars—**Equitable distribution**, **Community participation**, **Intersectoral coordination**, and **Appropriate technology**. * **Intersectoral Coordination:** This principle acknowledges that health cannot be achieved by the health sector alone; it requires collaboration with agriculture, animal husbandry, housing, and public works. * **Equitable Distribution:** This is the "keynote" of PHC, ensuring that health services are accessible to all, regardless of social or economic status (reaching the "unreached").

Question 1

The "Group on Medical Education and Support Manpower" is popularly known as which committee?

Accepted Answer

Shrivastav Committee

Answer

Kaar Singh Committee

Answer

Mudaliar Committee

Answer

Bhore Committee

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a component of primary health care?

Accepted Answer

Adequate housing

Answer

Adequate nutrition

Answer

Safe water supply

Answer

Provision of essential drugs

Question 3

Which of the following are functions of a Primary Health Centre (PHC)?

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Answer

Referral services

Answer

Family planning and referral services

Answer

Basic laboratory services

Question 4

What is the population covered by a Female Health Worker?

Accepted Answer

5000 population

Answer

10000 population

Answer

100 population

Answer

None of the above

Question 5

Who grants the license to a blood bank?

Accepted Answer

Drugs Controller General of India

Answer

Director General of Health Services

Answer

Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research

Answer

Director General of Blood Bank Services

Question 6

The LRS Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases is located at which city?

Accepted Answer

Delhi

Answer

Chennai

Answer

Bangalore

Answer

Chengalpettu

Question 7

Which of the following acts were passed before 1980?

Accepted Answer

Employees' State Insurance Act, Pre-Conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, Factories Act, Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act

Answer

Employees' State Insurance Act, Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act

Answer

Pre-Conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, Factories Act

Answer

Pre-Conception and Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, Air Pollution Act

Question 8

Which committee introduced the Rural Health Scheme?

Accepted Answer

Shrivastava Committee

Answer

Bhore Committee

Answer

Mukherjee Committee

Answer

Mudaliar Committee

Question 9

Which of the following is NOT an element of Primary Health Care?

Accepted Answer

Primary school education

Answer

Immunization

Answer

Family planning

Answer

Nutrition

Question 10

Which of the following statements is FALSE regarding Kerala?

Accepted Answer

None of the above

Answer

Birth rate is 29/1000

Answer

Per capita annual income is Rs. 2594

Answer

Life expectancy is 66.6 years

Public Health Administration — MCQs

Public Health Administration — MCQs

On this page

Practice by Chapter

Want unlimited practice?