It is imperative for effective medical facilities to reach the nation’s remotest corners
Dr Manohar Agnani
Mission Director, NRHM, Govt. of MP
The development of a nation depends on the condition of its education and healthcare facilities rather than technological advancement. It is sad that in our country, education and good healthcare is something that is out of the reach of masses. One can safely conclude the general health condition of women and children in our country is appalling. This can be attributed to several factors—notably lack of proper reach and expansion of healthcare, lack of amenities and lack of awareness.
With regard to child healthcare, we have to focus on Infant Mortality Rate, malnutrition and immunisation. The national IMR is 57 per 1000 child born. The rate is much higher in states like MP, Bihar, Orissa and UP. Neo-natal deaths account for more than two-third of the total infant deaths. The corresponding figures of the death of newborns is 27 per cent on first day, 24 per cent on day two and up to 50 percent by day three. If we manage to save a newborn for seven days since his/her birth, we might be able to bring IMR down by 66 percent.
The reach of healthcare facilities is very limited. Even in areas where we have managed to provide them is quite poor. It is in no way capable of meeting the requirements of newborns and mothers. It implies, therefore, that till the time we are not able to make quality healthcare amenities and facilities available to the remotest corners of our country, all the health indices will keep on cutting a sorry figure. The first step is to establish a Newborn Unit at every community healthcare centre and a Sick Newborn Care Unit at every district hospital. It is also necessary to improve the condition of primary healthcare centres. In most cases, these centres refer children to district hospitals and CHCs. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to strengthen the root of the healthcare system.
For Complete IIPM Article, Click on IIPM Article
Source : IIPM Editorial, 2009
Read these article :-
No comments:
Post a Comment