Public health is concerned with the health of the community as a whole. Its key goal is to reduce a population’s exposure to disease. It has been said that: “Health care is vital to all of us some of the time, but public health is vital to all of us all of the time’’.
The public health system in India faces multiple challenges. In 2005, the average life expectancy was 62 years for males and 64 years for females—one of the lowest in the South Asian region. In the same year, only 44 per cent of children aged 12 to 23 months were fully immunized. Infant mortality rate, generally considered as the gold standard in judging the public health system of a country remains at an unacceptable 55 deaths per 1000 live births. If one looks at infectious diseases, the picture is not much better. India, despite some encouraging results in the last few years carries one fourth of the total TB burden in the world. What is especially worrying is the rise of Multiple-Drug Resistance (MDR) tuberculosis cases despite widespread adoption of DOTS. Despite strenuous efforts, polio has still not been eradicated. In fact, in some states most noticeably Uttar Pradesh, polio has shown a marked resurgence. Without discounting the progress made in the last few decades, it can be safely said that in almost every important public health indicator, India lags far behind not only the developed world but also countries with equivalent income levels.
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I wanted to take a bit stretched time to read this new post from you.An extremely important issue, which, unfortunately is being punished with lackadaisical an attitude. thank you for sharing ur POV and other thoughts with us.
a few observations from me who has negligible expertise in the category
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a) infectious diseases b) general nutrition and primary health like Polio c) Lifestyle related traumas like Diabetes d) Life-stage related heath problems…have always been a major concern in the country.
both a & b need the constant nurturing of Government,which invariably a territory of failure Ad Infinitum. But I resist to blame the Govt n puble health care systems wholly, as it is the individual’s (mother or the chief wage earner) responsibility as well to ensure required levels of health for their children. Lack of awareness could be the reason or the set of stunted beliefs, which could be fought through NGOs, n other kind of volunteers. Nw how motivated these organisations feel towards their tasks is driven by the Govt support, whch does not exist most times.
where is the time n energy for the Govts to spend on these seemingly trival issues when they are so benumbed with scams of varied hues..
#Basic levels of sanitation, public hygiene etc help to reduce the risk of disease transmission or progression, which are again the Govt. responsibility. it’s no brainer, to probe further whether or not our Govt succeeded to crack this?
I strongly feel, there should be privatisation of General Public health and Primary health and education in the country, n considering the fact that majority of the populace cant afford both, the Govt should generate funds which would be surrendered to private bodies to run the mechanism. I could sense a much more efficiency…well, to what extent this is feasible, is a question But centuries of inefficacy shows the mechanism has to be privatised
I was staring at this man in late 40s, who was scratching his crotch, coughing endlessly, talking over his mobile phone..a riksha puller! it seems to indicate that the priorities in one’s life has changed..mobile communication (as revolutionised by Reliance) has stolen the thunder from health n other key variables. shows how aggressively Private systems can bring in a change in attitude.
In India, the attitude towards one’s health (cuts across all SECs – Socio Economic Class groups) , largely, has been “CURATIVE”..one does not care much for his health until a deadly stroke comes hurtling aong the rough forest track, jerkng violently as the crash of the tempest overhead.
the first n foremost is FIGHTING FOR PROPER EDUCATION system in the society.If one is educated he or she is conscious enuf to consider health as one of the primary goals. we again came back to Women’s education!
#UP n Polio : a marked resurgence ? this means New cases or the Older cases of children?
the base – the pop of children is increasing?the pop of non-vaccinated Polio is increasing?
# I wonder, how many healthcare professionals wrking abroad think about coming back to India to revive the dying system, to challenge the established norms in the category/field or to create an open dialogue with the Govt..
Public Journalism is in.Public Policing is in. Why cant this be whipped against this health care ssyems which seem to be in deep slumber?