The allocation of government spending between public health and economic development is a subject of ongoing debate. While some people think that public health should be put an emphasis on by the government over economic growth, others believe that developing the country economically is of paramount importance for a prosperous society. Although both schools of thought hold merit, I think striking a balance between them is essential.
On the one hand, the well-being of society has a role as the cornerstone for the sustainability of society. Since the life expectancy of people around the world tends to increase in recent years due to some factors of life, the rate of individuals who have aging-related diseases, such as cardiovascular, cancer or dementia, surges accordingly. As a result, the lack of modern facilities and skilled medical professionals makes many people not have health problems addressed, which worsens their conditions, leads to lower quality of life as well as limited productivity. In contrast, with better well-being, people can ensure the contribution to social, even economic growth; thus, investing in the medical system yields long-lasting benefits. That is the reason why supporters of this view argue that governments should consider such an action as the ultimate mission.
On the other hand, opponents of the previous view believe that governments should focus on developing the country economically. A developed economy can ensure sustainability in various fields, such as higher wages for workers, better education and social security. Furthermore, enhancing the quality of medical facilities and training health-care providers necessitate a large amount of money. Without a strong economy, it is difficult for governments to allocate adequate resources for healthcare services. Thus, proponents of this view believe that emphasizing economic development is mandatory, which can allow many aspects of life to be better, including the medical system.
In conclusion, after considering both perspectives, I think such fields are interconnected and they should receive simultaneous and prompt support from government authorities. While a healthy population helps maintain the quality of life and the contribution to social development, economic growth enables the government to provide essential resources for healthcare services.