India’s healthcare system
- Primary Level in villages- No MBBS doctors; Multi-purpose health workers (MPWs like ASHA, ANM, Anganwadi) who administer primary health care along with other efforts like vaccination etc. These MPWs are not properly trained.
- Secondary level — In blocks.. 2/3 MBBS doctors who do uncomplicated treatment.
- Tertiary level — District hospitals
- Quaternary level– Medical colleges
- At present, there is just one doctor for around 1,700 people in India, whereas the WHO stipulates a minimum ratio of 1:1,000
India’s attitude toward Rural Healthcare:
- Rural hospitals are working since 1950s (too many rural and urban hospitals were opened in initial years of 50s), various yojnas like NRHM, providing free medicine, vaccination etc. ( So intentions are good ) .
Criticism:: Good intentions don’t suffice. Implementation at ground z more imp.
- Poorly trained health workers– therefore only diarrheal deaths etc.
- Less availability of medicines also their quality z problem ::( we usually avoid govt. hospital free drugs.
- Rural hospitals are very far away from district hospitals. Secondary hospitals are lacking facilities so are of no use.
- Chanci dawakhana, Jholachhap doctors are openly flourishing without any control of govt. in rural areas.
Conclusion/ Suggestions :
- Implement 3 year Health diploma system where these health workers can be efficiently trained.
- ASHA workers should not be contractual. Contractual system demotivates people.
- A good inventory of quality medicine should be maintained.
- Regulatory mechanisms to check Chansi dawakhanas; Health insurance schemes, free treatment, increase budgetary allocation and fix accountability of doctors and health workers.
Critically comment on India‘s attitude towards health care in rural areas since independence and its consequences. (200 Words)