Page 1 - LN 4- The Kerala experience & the Costa Rica
P. 1

SAI INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
                                                  SESSION 2020 – 21
                                                       Class – VII
                                                          Civics
                      Chapter – 2 : ROLE OF THE STATE OVERNMENT IN HEALTH
                                                   LESSON NOTES

                              Sub-Topic 4 : THE KERALA EXPERIENCE &
                                                          THE COSTA RICAN APPROACH



               PAGE-28        The Kerala experience

                               In 1996, the Kerala government made some major changes in the state.

                                   Forty percent of the entire state budget was given to panchayats.
                                     They could plan and provide for their requirements.
                                   This made it possible for a village to make sure that proper
                                     planning was done for water, food, women’s development and
                                     education.
                                   Water supply schemes were checked, the working of schools and
                                     anganwadis was ensured and specific problems of the village were
                                     taken up. Health centres were also improved.


                                 The Costa Rican approach


                              The best example of healthcare comes from Costa Rica where the
                              government provides for adequate healthcare to people.


                                   Several years ago, Costa Rica took a very important decision and
                                     decided not to have an army. This helped the Costa Rican
                                     government to spend the money that the army would have used, on
                                     health, education and other basic needs of the people.
                                   The Costa Rican government believes that a country has to be
                                     healthy for its development and pays a lot of attention to the health
                                     of its people. The Costa Rican government provides basic services
                                     and amenities to all Costa Ricans. For example, it provides safe
                                     drinking water, sanitation, nutrition and housing.
   1