India lags in health security
As India observes World Health Day, hundreds of thousands of people are still victims of abject poverty living in unhealthy conditions and deprived of access to adequate healthcare.
Pritha Roy Choudhury
WORLD HEALTH DAY, celebrated annually on April 7, marks the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO). This year's theme is International Health Security. The aim is to urge governments, organizations and businesses to "Invest in health, build a safer future".
And, on the occasion of World Health Day as the government and non-profits come up with various measures to provide maximum benefit to the people, there are many segments of the society, which go unnoticed and needs immediate attention.
One such pathetic example is that of a 72-year-old cancer patient who allegedly jumped to his death from a high-rise building in Delhi on the eve of World Health Day. It is believed that he could not take the agony of living with cancer.
The question that arises now is: Are the hospitals providing cancer treatment efficient enough to boost the mental health of a cancer patient? Crores of money is spent on cancer research every year. Though our researchers have made credible progress in cancer treatment, are our hospitals capable enough to take care of the mental health of the patients?
Another significant area is that of the poor and downtrodden which is driven by lack of education, healthcare and infrastructure.
National programs to fight diseases like AIDS, TB, Malaria and Polio are there, but lack of availability of the required drugs or poor testing facilities are posing hurdles.
According to a recent World Bank report, education achievements are poor, particularly for girls in rural areas.
Expenditures on preventive health are limited and the private sector and accounts for 80 per cent of expenditures on curative health, despite the network of clinics and hospitals. Public health services are often regressive, benefiting the rich more than the poor.
Our country has come a long way since independence. Today, it is playing a significant role in the global arena. But it is a matter of grave concern that millions of people in the country are still living in abject poverty and unhealthy living conditions.
Pritha Roy Choudhury
WORLD HEALTH DAY, celebrated annually on April 7, marks the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO). This year's theme is International Health Security. The aim is to urge governments, organizations and businesses to "Invest in health, build a safer future".
And, on the occasion of World Health Day as the government and non-profits come up with various measures to provide maximum benefit to the people, there are many segments of the society, which go unnoticed and needs immediate attention.
One such pathetic example is that of a 72-year-old cancer patient who allegedly jumped to his death from a high-rise building in Delhi on the eve of World Health Day. It is believed that he could not take the agony of living with cancer.
The question that arises now is: Are the hospitals providing cancer treatment efficient enough to boost the mental health of a cancer patient? Crores of money is spent on cancer research every year. Though our researchers have made credible progress in cancer treatment, are our hospitals capable enough to take care of the mental health of the patients?
Another significant area is that of the poor and downtrodden which is driven by lack of education, healthcare and infrastructure.
National programs to fight diseases like AIDS, TB, Malaria and Polio are there, but lack of availability of the required drugs or poor testing facilities are posing hurdles.
According to a recent World Bank report, education achievements are poor, particularly for girls in rural areas.
Expenditures on preventive health are limited and the private sector and accounts for 80 per cent of expenditures on curative health, despite the network of clinics and hospitals. Public health services are often regressive, benefiting the rich more than the poor.
Our country has come a long way since independence. Today, it is playing a significant role in the global arena. But it is a matter of grave concern that millions of people in the country are still living in abject poverty and unhealthy living conditions.
posted by Miles to walk before I sleep | 2:52 AM
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