New Delhi: Expert in the health domain on Thursday hailed Government of India's different health initiatives in improving health scenarios in the country's tribal areas.
"Yes, Government of India has initiated several developmental schemes for improving the health condition of tribal people and one such initiative is Ayushman Bharat which aims for inclusive development of health scenario," said health expert Dr. Girdhar Gyani.
He, however, said that India still needs to improve a lot in this sector.
"We have 16 lakh beds in the country whereas we need 40 lakh beds (as per World Health Organisation) to meet the requirement for beds in hospitals. And the bulk of the beds are concentrated in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities," said Dr. Gyani while referring to the private sector health care sector.
Dr. Gyani is also the president of the Association of Healthcare Providers of India (AHPI). He said that of late, the Union Health Ministry has taken several steps to improve the health scenario in India’s tribal areas.
Also read: Envoys from 16 nations assess ground situation in Kashmir
Quoting data, officials in the health ministry, told ETV Bharat that health outcome indicators of the tribal population have improved at a faster rate than all India indicators which are due to focused interventions in tribal areas.
"Surveys like National Family Health Survey (NFHS) and District Level Household Survey (DLHS) conducted by the Ministry give estimates inter-alia for tribal health indicators. Analysis of National Family Health (NFHS) 3 (2005-06) and National Family Health Survey (NFHS) 4 (2015-16) data shows that health outcome indicators of tribal populations have improved," officials said.
Interestingly under National Health Mission (NHM), Central Government provides support to the states and union territories to strength their healthcare systems, based on the proposals received from the states so as to provide universal access to equitable, affordable and quality healthcare services all over the country including in scheduled districts.
Officials in the Health Ministry said that support is also provided for the provision of a host of free services related to maternal health, child health, adolescent health, family planning, universal immunisation programme and for major diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS among others.
The centre has also relaxed norms in setting up health facilities in tribal areas.
Against the population norms of 5,000 30,000 and 1,20,000 for setting up of sub centre, PHC and CHC respectively, in tribal areas it is 3,000 20,000 and 80,0000.
Also read: House to vote on resolution to curb Trump's power to take actions against Iran
