Affordable healthcare system!
10/02/2020
What steps can be taken to make health facilities accessible to the poor?
In today’s time, both pollution and population are increasing at an alarming rate, which has lead to multiple health issues. The poor among all are the worst affected. To improve the quality of health among the poor, educating the poor is the first step. Diseases such as jaundice and diarrhea are caused by consumption of unclean water. The government should ensure that the quality of water supplied in the areas where the poor live is clean and healthy. Since the poor cannot afford expensive medical treatments, free medical check-up camps should be organised for them on a regular basis so that early detection can help in minimising the risk of disease. Charitable hospitals should also be opened for them. The government should also extend support to the poor for the treatment of life-threatening diseases.
Open charitable hospitals in rural areas
According to a 2018 study, almost 122 Indians per one lakh die due to poor quality of healthcare each year. Due to increasing pollution, health issues are also increasing rapidly. There is an urgent need to strengthen healthcare policies in the country, especially for poor and the needy. Organise free advanced medical check-up camps for them so that deadly diseases can be detected at an early stage and timely treatment can be provided to those who live below the poverty line. Charitable hospitals should be opened in rural areas so that money for the treatment of diseases such as cancer can be raised in time. The poor must also be educated about various health issues and the treatment for the same.
Free medical assistance to BPL citizens
Provision of basic health facilities should be part of the Fundamental Rights. The poor are mostly deprived of advanced medical facilities as the expenses of medicines and other treatments are beyond their reach. It is very common and saddening that owing to lack of funds, the poor have to lose life. So, it is one of the prime responsibilities of the state and Centre government to ensure and provide medical assistance to the poor and the needy. The poor, who earn below the minimum listed income by the government, should be enlisted by the state governments and must be provided medical cards so that at the time of need, they can show the card in any hospital and avail proper treatment. Special hospital or clinics should be also established for their treatment. In state budgets, a part should be reserved for providing medical help to the poor. Free routine check-up camps should also be organised regularly so that they may be able to detect a disease in advance and get treated for the same. The poor must be educated through counselling and seminars on maintaining their health. If the government has been successful in eradicating polio, it has the capability to provide the poor free treatment.
Farzana Khan
Provide free food to the poor in every hospital
To live a healthy life, one should not have to empty the pockets. It is an established fact now that we are not living in a healthy environment and that has made us prone to many diseases. Among all, the poor are the worst sufferers as they have very little or no capacity to spend on medical treatment, especially if they have been detected with serious medical problems. It is the duty of the state and the Centre government to open special hospitals that cater only to the needs of the poor who live below the poverty line. Charitable hospitals should also be opened where the treatment can be sponsored by either NGOs or philanthropists. Free food and assistance must also be provided to the poor patients in every hospital.
Take facilities directly to target populations
In January, the scare of communicable disease coronavirus was the number one killer in China. The scare has reached India as well. In today’s time, it does not take much time for a disease to turn deadly. Ideally, residents, especially the poor, should be able to conveniently and confidently access services such as primary, dental and emergency care, and public health services. Access to healthcare is important for overall physical, social, and mental health status; disease prevention; detection, diagnosis, and treatment of illness; and quality of life. But rural residents often encounter barriers to healthcare that limit their ability to obtain the care they need. In order for rural residents to have sufficient access, necessary and appropriate healthcare services must be available and obtainable in a timely manner. Even when an adequate supply of healthcare services exists in the community, there are other factors to consider in terms of healthcare access. For instance, to have good healthcare access, a rural resident must also have financial means to pay for services, means to reach hospitals and clinics located at a distance, and the ability to take paid time off of work to use such services. Problem arises when the poor do not have the ability to communicate with healthcare providers as they poor health literacy. There are number of ways through which equal healthcare facilities can be provided to the poor and the needy. The government should come up with the facility of door-to door mobile check-up van. It can also take facilities directly to target populations with clinics located in the nearby areas. Setting up a healthcare access task force with local hospitals and other community stakeholders will ensure timely treatment of diseases. Awareness seminars for the poor must also be held regularly.
Surce (Tribune India)
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