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Rural health in Chhattisgarh |
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Leprosy: Our New Case Detection Rate has actually increased since the disease was declared “eliminated” in 2005, possibly because the public healthcare system discourages patients from seeking care.
Four patients with leprosy seek treatment at Jan Swasthya Sahyog clinic in Ganyari. AID supports staff for this clinic, that reaches out to 1100 villages in Bilaspur District.
Malaria: In tribal areas of Chhattisgarh, Falciparum Malaria is common, especially the forest fringe villages. With its complications, it can kill rapidly even in a span of 2-3 days.
Tuberculosis (TB): We diagnose over 200 patients a year, many who are usually poor and already in debt. These patients are undernourished (most women weigh under 40kg, and most men weigh under 50 kg).
Lack of transport prevents many from seeking health care. Several states including Chhattisgarh have cut budgets and dismantled state transport corporations, overlooking their role in providing equity of access to essential services.
Based on our experience, if we were to highlight one issue, it would be undernutrition, which increases risk of falling ill and sometimes dying to it. Under nutrition is the cause for over 50% of the mortality in the under 5 age group. Undernutrition in early childhood leads to poor intellectual development, and poor work capacity. This affects their earning capacity and traps them in poverty.
Dr. Anurag Bhargava is a physican with Jan Swasthya Sahyog.
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