Eliciting “health” as a priority among policymakers in India: A paradigm shift in focus postpandemic

Abstract

Background: Many legislatures allow for written or in-person questions to be directed to members of the administration, which is a common feature of legislatures. The parliamentary probes usually generate a lot of media attention and public interest. The types of questions that are asked in parliament and the outcomes are still unknown, despite their significance and interest. Aim and Objectives: The study aimed to assess the interest of Indian parliamentarians (Lok Sabha) in health issues by screening the questions raised in the Lok Sabha related to health. Methodology: A cross-sectional study using records from the 17th Lok Sabha from 2014 to 2022 was done to identify “health-related” inquiries made by parliamentarians between 2014 and 2022. Results: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare explicitly responded to questions in the Lok Sabha from 2014 to 2022, making up 5.41% of all questions (starred and unstarred) raised during that time. Of the total 117,967 questions raised in the Lok Sabha from 2014 to 2022, these 6389 questions were related to “health.” Conclusion: In India, the COVID-19 pandemic has sparked worries about several issues, including the quality of health care, institutional and governmental responses, and challenges with law and order. The constitutional and statutory framework ought to be useful in answering these problems.