Crisis at the Baba Raghav Das Medical College in Gorakhpur.

Rural India’s health systems: the health checklist related to Gorakhpur Health Crisis.

1. Crisis at the Baba Raghav Das Medical College in Gorakhpur.
2. Medical infrastructure in several surrounding districts and even neighbouring States is so weak that a large number of very sick patients are sent
3. The frail nature of rural India’s health systems and the extraordinary patient load on a few referral hospitals.

Comptroller and Auditor General’s report:-

1. Inability to absorb the funds allocated,
2. shortage of staff at all levels
3. lack of essential medicines,
4. broken-down equipment
5. unfilled doctor vacancies.

Government Stand:-

1. The Centre has set ambitious health goals for 2020 and is in the process of deciding the financial outlay for various targets under the National Health Mission,
2. including reduction of the infant mortality rate to 30 per 1,000 live births, from the recent estimate of 40
3. require sustained investment and monitoring,
4. ensuring that the prescribed standard of access to a health facility with the requisite medical and nursing resources within a 3-km radius is achieved on priority.
5. Such a commitment is vital to achieve a sharp reduction in India’s deplorable infant and maternal mortality levels, besides preventing the spread of infectious diseases across States.

Solution

1. It is imperative for the government to recognise the limitations of a market-led mechanism,
2. As the NITI Aayog has pointed out in its action agenda for 2020, in providing for a pure public good such as health.
3. Bringing equity in access to doctors, diagnostics and medicines for the rural population has to be a priority for the National Health Mission.

-Regards
http://www.facebook.com/TheMayurDhokchaule