Seven Major Problems of Health Services in India

-



1. Neglect of Rural Population: A serious drawback of India’s health service is the neglect of rural masses. It is largely a service based on urban hospitals. Although, there are large no. of PHC’s and rural hospitals yet the urban bias is visible. According to health information 31.5% of hospitals and 16% hospital beds are situated in rural areas where 75% of total population resides. Moreover the doctors are unwilling to serve in rural areas. Instead of evolving a health system dependent on paramedical (like bare-footed doctors in China) to strengthen the periphery. India has evolved one dependent on doctors giving it a top-heavy character. 

 2. Emphasis on Culture Method: The health system of India depends almost on imported western models. It has no roots in the culture and tradition of the people. It is mostly service based on urban hospitals. This has been at the cost of providing comprehensive primary health care to all. Otherwise speaking, it has completely neglected preventive, pro-motive, rehabilitative and public health measures. 

 3. Inadequate Outlay for Health: According to the National Health Policy 2002, the Govt. contribution to health sector constitutes only 0.9 percent of the GDP. This is quite insufficient. In India, public expenditure on health is 17.3% of the total health expenditure while in China, the same is 24.9% and in Sri Lanka and USA, the same is 45.4 and 44.1 respectively. This is the main cause of low health standards in the country. 

 4. Social Inequality: The growth of health facilities has been highly imbalanced in India. Rural, hilly and remote areas of the country are under served while in urban areas and cities, health facility is well developed. The SC/ST and the poor people are far away from modern health service. The table shows social inequality in provision of health in India.

5. Shortage of Medical Personnel: In India shortage of medical personnel like doctors, a nurse etc. is a basic problem in the health sector. In 1999-2000, while there were only 5.5 doctors per 10,000 population in India, the same is 25 in the USA and 20 in China. Similarly the number of hospitals and dispensaries is insufficient in comparison to our vast population.
 6. Medical Research: Medical research in the country needs to be focused on drugs and vaccines for tropical diseases which are normally neglected by international pharmaceutical companies on account of their limited profitability potential. The National Health Policy 2002 suggests to allocate more funds to boost medical research in this direction. 

  7. Expensive Health Service: In India, health services especially allopathic are quite expensive. It hits hard the common man. Prices of various essential drugs have gone up. Therefore more emphasis should be given to the alternative systems of medicine. Ayurveda, Unani and Homeopathy systems are less costly and will serve the common man in better way. Concluding the health system has many problems. These problems can be overcome by effective planning and allocating more funds.

©Dr Hariudaypingali 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Cellulitis causes, Types symptoms Complications, Treatment and Prevention

-
Image
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection that affects the skin as well as the soft tissues under the surface of the skin. This kind of an infection usually occurs when bacteria enter normal or broken skin and start spreading under the skin into the soft tissues. This causes inflammation and infection in the affected parts of the skin. Cellulitis can either be caused by exogenous bacteria or even by the normal flora of the skin. Cracks in the skin, bruises, cuts, open wounds, surgical wounds, insect bites, burns, and blisters are common sites where such infections develop. Although cellulitis may affect any part of the body, usually the skin on the legs and face are primarily affected by this disease. History When cellulitis was first identified in 1860 it was just considered an inflammatory condition and there was no treatment given. Around 1865 the condition was recognized as a bacterial infection. The type of bacteria that was causing the infection would eventually be identifi
Read more

Encephalopathy- Causes,Symptoms, Treatment

-
Image
Encephalopathy Encephalopathy is referred to the abnormal brain structures or improper functioning of your brain. Depending on the underlying pathology, it can cause long-term or short-term problems. The symptoms may get stable, static or get worse as the disease progresses. Also, significant brain loss is a cardinal feature of encephalopathy. There is no one population, in particular, that is more prone to getting the encephalopathy. Because it is categorized in many types, it can affect any population of any age and gender. There are many types of encephalopathy and brain disease. Out of these, some may be permanent, while others may be just temporary; some are present at birth, while others may be acquired after birth and may get worse as one grows up. Epidemiology Demographic and epidemiological data suggest that encephalopathy correlates with age. The number of patients with encephalopathy increases after the age of 65 years. People older than 75 years, who reside in n
Read more

HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN INDIA

-
Image
Health Care System In India Health And Social Care Essay India is a pluralistic, multi-lingual and multi-ethnic nation which accounts one-sixth of the world’s population occupying less than 3% of the world’s area. In India, since the last 10 years considerable work has been undertaken related to health and hospital sector reforms, which has involved various government, worldwide multilateral agencies and other stakeholders. Delivering affordable health care to India’s billion plus people presents enormous challenges and oppturunities for the medical community. The practice of medicine is becoming increasingly complex and time consuming. Political ideologies play a major role in determining the health policies of the country through decisions on resources allocation, choice of technology, human resources policy and degree to which health services are to be made available to the population. No health care system in the world is stable. To start with health care sector has to
Read more