How can you say that adequate healthcare is not available to all? [V. Imp.]
We can say without any doubt that adequate healthcare is not available to all in our country. The reason is that private services are increasing but public services are not. As a result private services are mainly available to people. But these services are concentrated in urban areas and are very expensive. Poor people hardly afford them whenever there is illness in the family, they either borrow money or sell some of their possessions to pay for the expenses. Thus, medical expenses cause great hardship for the poor. Therefore, they avoid to go to a doctor unless it is very urgent.
It has been found that women are not taken to a doctor in a prompt manner. Their health concerns are easily ignored. Many tribal areas have few health centres and they do not run properly.
What are the different ways through which the government can take steps to provide healthcare for all? Discuss.
Improvement in water and sanitation can control many diseases'. Explain with the help of examples.
In this chapter you have read that health is a wider concept than illness. Look at this quote from the Constitution and explain the terms living standard' and public health' in your own words.
An important part of the Constitution says it is the "duty of the state to raise the level of nutrition and the standard of living and to improve public health. "
What differences do you find between private and public health services in your area? Use the following table to compare and contrast these.